Australia's World Cup Final Win Vindicates Molineux's Self-Belief

Australias World Cup Final Win Vindicates Molineuxs Self-Belief (Image Source: AFP)

Australia captain Sophie Molineux was glad to have "kept believing" after her side thrashed England by seven wickets in the women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday.

Molineux's team were utterly dominant, keeping things tight in the field, with the left-arm spinner's 1-32 not fully reflective of how she helped restrict England after winning the toss.

Australia then chased down a modest target of 151 with 17 balls to spare.

Beth Mooney led Australia's chase with 64 -- her fourth fifty in a major global final.

Doubts were expressed when injury-prone all-rounder Molineux, 28, was appointed Australia captain in January after all-time great Alyssa Healy announced her retirement.

And a back issue meant Molineux missed the end of the multi-format series against India in February.

"Captaining a couple of games and getting injured, shock," Molineux told a post-match press conference. "I suppose there was a few doubts internally and a few doubts externally.

"But I think what maybe I've learnt over my journey so far is that you just have to keep believing. And I'm incredibly lucky that people believed in me."

Molineux added: "I think when I did miss those games at the start of the (Australian) summer after just being announced captain, it probably made me feel like it might not work out.

"But I just think I'm so incredibly lucky with the support I've had, not just over the last six months, but it's been 10 years in this team for Australia."

Molineux had spoken before the final of her childhood dream to watch a Test at Lord's, with her father. Her parents, however, got to see Molineux lead Australia to victory in a World Cup final in front of a capacity crowd of nearly 29,000 at the 'Home of Cricket' instead.

"I gave him (her father) a big hug before (the match). He's incredibly proud. It was pretty emotional as well. It's just nice to have that moment with him and mum and my sister, Chloe."

- Mooney's 'nerves of steel' -

Reflecting on the match itself, which saw Australia claim a record-extending seventh title in 10 editions of the women's T20 World Cup, Molineux hailed wicketkeeper-batter Mooney as "probably the smartest cricketer I've ever played with".

"The way she can sum up situations and be able to grind out innings and at the same time, like today, she has got all the shots and is able to play freely. She's got nerves of steel, Moons," said Molineux.

Turning to her side as a whole, Molinuex said Australia had "generational talent" all way through from 20-year-old fast bowler Lucy Hamilton to veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry.

Left-arm quick Hamilton, following several economical displays, took her first wicket of the tournament when she struck with just her second ball of the final to dismiss Amy Jones.

"She's really driven and the girls just love her," said Molineux of Hamilton. "She's a country kid from Bundaberg.

"Her parents actually flew over (for the final), they booked their ticket about 48 hours ago, it took them 47 hours to get here and now they're going to turn around tomorrow and go back," added Molineux with a smile.

"It's special for people like Lucy."

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, meanwhile, denied her side had a mental block against Australia following another showpiece loss to their arch=rivals.

Australia have now won all seven of their World Cup final clashes against England, across both one-day international and T20 cricket.

England were also whitewashed 16-0 in the last multi-format Ashes in Australia.

But Sciver-Brunt, whose sedate 58 not out was the top score in England's 150-4, said history had played no part in Sunday's outcome.

"It's a World Cup final," she said. "A World Cup that has meant so much to us, so I think the over-riding feeling is that we've lost a World Cup final, not 'oh no, it's Australia again'."