Molineux gives update on Perry’s fitness before final
Traditional rivals England and Australia will contest the Women's T20WC 2026 final on Sunday.
England and Australia will renew their rivalry on one of the grandest stages in the sport when they face-off in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday.
It is a fitting finale as the two teams are unbeaten in the competition so far, and topped their groups before scoring emphatic wins in their respective semi-finals. As they head into the winner-takes-it-all contest, Australia are waiting on the fitness of one of their finest, Ellyse Perry.
The star all-rounder was retired hurt during the final four clash against West Indies on Tuesday due to a quad issue. On the eve of the final, Australia captain Sophie Molineux informed that a final call on Perry’s fitness will be taken on Sunday.
“She (Perry) went through a bit of a testing for the final. she trained really well today, had a bat, had a ball. We'll assess tomorrow and see how she pulls up,” Molineux said on Saturday. Even if Perry is not deemed fit to bowl, the captain believes she can make way into the team as a pure batter as well.
“It'd be great if she could bowl for us, but at the same time with our bowling depth we feel like we've got a bit of cover there. Her T20 World Cup so far with the bat has been incredible, she's won a couple of games for us. I think her with the bat even if she's not bowling, it'll still be a massive positive for us.”
Flawless Australia ease past West Indies to seal a place in the final | Match Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026
Australia sealed a dominant eight-wicket victory over West Indies to secure a place in the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
The six-time champions return to the final after three years, having missed out in the last edition in 2024.
While it’s a team studded with stars, Australia have relied on collective effort at this T20 World Cup. Skipper Molineux believes the work put in over the last few months, since losing to India in the semi-finals of the 2025 ODI World Cup, has given the team the edge.
“The group has been able to grow over the last three-four months,” she added. “Releasing the shackles a little bit and just allowing ourselves to play freely, to use our class, use our skill. It's a very smart cricket team.”
England book their place in the final with a dominant victory over South Africa | Match Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026
England beat South Africa by 40 runs and marched into the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
In the final, they take on their traditional rivals, at the home of English cricket. Molineux and her team are up for the challenge.
“They've played some really brilliant cricket over the last few weeks, they've got the team in a really good place, and they seem to be full of confidence, and you add onto that 30,000, English fans here at Lord's,” said Molineux, who grew up watching Test cricket with her father and dreaming of playing at Lord’s.
“We know it's going be an incredible challenge, but it's also going be a really special day. We match up well against them.”
The two teams have clashed in the T20 World Cup seven times, with Australia holding a 5-2 edge.
Crucially, Australia have won all the three T20 World Cup finals they have contested. Meanwhile, England has never lost a women’s World Cup, ODI or T20, as hosts. On Sunday, something has to give.