Windies women beat Australia to claim first World T20 title

Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthews scored half-centuries as West Indies ended Australia’s Women’s World Twenty20 dominance with an eight-wicket victory at Eden Gardens to win the tournament for the first time.

Australia had won the World T20 three times in succession before Sunday’s showdown in Kolkata, but lost their grip on the trophy by suffering a first defeat to the Windies in nine contests between the two sides in the shortest format.

Elyse Villani and captain Meg Lanning made 52 apiece as Australia posted 148-5 after winning the toss, but 18-year-old Matthews (66 from 45 balls) and skipper Taylor (59) put on 120 for the first wicket as the Windies got home with three balls to spare to pull off their highest T20 run chase.

Captain Darren Sammy was among the members of the men’s team who came onto the pitch to celebrate with their compatriots and his side will aim to complete a double by beating England on the same ground later in the day.