Head coach Charlotte Edwards believes England have “won back the fans” by reaching the Women’s T20 World Cup final despite being “completely outplayed” by Australia on Sunday.
England’s group-stage exit in 2024 and their humbling 16-0 Ashes defeat 18 months ago led to a lot of scrutiny about their professionalism, with uncomfortable questions raised about their overall fitness.
Their fielding, which had dropped off alarmingly, has markedly improved under the leadership of Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt as they reeled off six wins in a row to reach their first T20 World Cup final since 2018 before losing by seven wickets to Australia at a sold-out Lord’s.
“They’ve won back the fans, which is outstanding, and I can’t thank the supporters enough,” Edwards told the BBC’s Test Match Special.
“We’re not talking about fitness or fielding, I wanted us to talk about the cricket. So although we’ve missed out today, I don’t think we should be disheartened.
“This is a very, very good Australian team who have dominated women’s cricket for years and we’re not too far away.”
England, seeking a first World Cup title since their 50-over triumph in 2017 on home soil, were restricted to 150 for four, where Sciver-Brunt chewed up 53 deliveries in her unbeaten 58.
Freya Kemp made a more up-tempo 44 not out but their efforts were put in the shade as Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield stitched together a 100-run stand off 67 deliveries to break the back of the chase.
Mooney, who made fifties in the 2020 and 2023 finals, top-scored with 64 before being dismissed with 11 still needed as Australia got home with 17 balls to spare to seal a record-extending seventh T20 crown.
“I’m gutted,” Edwards added. “We came here with so much belief and confidence to pull off something really special and I think we gave ourselves a really good shout – it didn’t look easy to bat on.
“The conditions weren’t easy – Nat Sciver-Brunt said that and she’s one of the best batters in the world, and they bowled really well with good changes of pace.
“We probably just didn’t get that partnership going early on but Kemp and Nat were brilliant to get us up to a total.
“We didn’t start as well as we’d have liked with the ball. But they put a lot of pressure on us, so credit to them. Beth Mooney stands up on the big occasion again.
“But they are a very, very good team and we were completely outplayed there in the end. Just disappointed.
“I’m really proud of the team. Where we’ve come from, the way we’ve played through this tournament – so many positives. T20 cricket is tough and we competed today but we just weren’t quite good enough. Lots of positive signs for the future.”
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