Australia crush West Indies in ICC Women's T20 World Cup warm-up

CARDIFF: A collective bowling performance, followed by Georgia Voll's unbeaten half-century, led Australia to a comfortable six-wicket victory over West Indies in the warm-up match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Sophia Gardens on Wednesday.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews's decision to bat first backfired as they could muster 131 before getting all out in 20 overs.

Middle-order batter Deandra Dottin waged a lone battle for West Indies as she top-scored with an anchoring 46 off 38 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.

Besides her, Jahzara Claxton, Matthews, 15 each, top-order batter Aaliyah Alleyne (10) could amass double figures.

Ashleigh Gardner and Lucy Hamilton jointly led Australia's bowling charge with two wickets each, while Georgia Wareham, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux, Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth chipped in with one scalp apiece.

In turn, Australia made light work of the 132-run target as they chased it down for the loss of just four wickets and 30 balls to spare.

Leading the way for them was right-handed opener Voll, who top-scored with an unbeaten 77 off just 48 deliveries, studded with 10 fours and two sixes.

She also shared a quickfire 48-run partnership with fellow opener Beth Mooney, who was retired out at the completion of the batting powerplay after scoring an 18-ball 34, comprising three fours and a six.

For West Indies, Qiana Joseph, Karishma Ramharack and captain Matthews could pick up a wicket apiece.

For the unversed, the victory meant Australia will enter the Women's T20 World Cup, scheduled to get underway on June 12, by winning each of their two warm-up matches, as they earlier defeated host nation England in their first practice game.