ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2016
2016 · 10 teams · T20 cricket
Tournament Overview
Series Overview
The 2016 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Bangladesh with most major matches in India, produced one of the most stunning upsets in women's cricket history. Australia had won three consecutive Women's T20 World Cups and were heavy favourites to lift a fourth title at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. West Indies had other ideas. Chasing Australia's total of 148/5, West Indies opening pair Stafanie Taylor and the teenage Hayley Matthews — just 18 years old — produced a masterclass opening partnership of 120 runs, taking the game completely away from Australia's bowlers. Matthews contributed 66 from 45 balls; Taylor supported with poise and authority. West Indies reached their target with 8 wickets to spare and 22 balls remaining — one of the most convincing finals in tournament history, the scoreline completely belying the scale of Australia's reputation. For West Indies women's cricket, it was a watershed moment: their first global T20 title, claimed on the biggest possible stage with the world watching. Taylor, who had accumulated 246 runs throughout the tournament at an extraordinary strike rate, was the undisputed Player of the Tournament. The 2016 Women's T20 World Cup signalled to the cricket world that Australia's dominance was not permanent — and that West Indies were a genuine force to be feared.
Key Highlights
- 1Stafanie Taylor and the 18-year-old Hayley Matthews constructed a 120-run opening partnership to overhaul Australia's 148
- 2West Indies won their first ever ICC Women's T20 World Cup title — a historic breakthrough for Caribbean women's cricket
- 3Australia, three-time defending champions, were denied on a massive stage as West Indies chased down 149 with 8 wickets to spare
- 4Taylor was named Player of the Tournament with 246 runs — a tournament record at the time — combining match-winning batting with accurate off-spin
- 5The final at Eden Gardens was watched by a capacity crowd, with India hosting a Women's T20 World Cup for the first time