On this day: Australia win second WT20 title

Six years ago, Australia made it back-to-back Women’s World T20 titles when they upset pre-tournament favourites England by four runs in a thrilling final.

The four-run, final ball victory was the second of three consecutive titles claimed by the Australians, who have won three of the five events to date.

Meg Lanning’s team is currently preparing for next month’s World T20 in the Caribbean, where they’ll look to win back the trophy they surrendered to West Indies in Kolkata in 2016.

And with the 2020 tournament to be played on home soil just 14 months later, the stakes are high for the world No.1 Southern Stars.

With just 33 days remaining until the 2018 World T20 begins, here’s a look back at Australia’s 2012 tournament.

Image Id: C9B0996C4CD6410CA9DE368E265BA19A Image Caption: Australia celebrate after winning back-to-back titles // Getty

October 7, 2012: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Result: Australia defeated England by four runs

Player of the match: Jess Cameron (45) 

Australia's 2012 campaign started with an eight wicket-victory over India, with Jodie Fields’ team chasing their rivals’ 8-104 with 16 balls to spare, before a rain-affected 25-run win over Pakistan.

But the toughest test of the group stage came against England. Batting first, Lanning top-scored with a 31-ball 39 to help the Southern Stars to 5-144 but it proved nowhere near enough as Sarah Taylor’s scintillating 65no saw England home with nearly two overs to spare.

England were barely troubled by New Zealand in their semi-final, while Australia advanced courtesy of Julie Hunter’s 5-22 against the Windies.

Image Id: B30BADE1094544B2B3845ED70035E037 Image Caption: England cruised to victory during the group stage // Getty

Having lost just one of their last 25 T20Is and after barely being under pressure at any point throughout the tournament, Charlotte Edwards’ England outfit understandably headed into the final as red-hot favourites.

But they came up against a different Australian side in the decider.

England’s attack was immediately put under the pump as Lanning and Alyssa Healy joined in a 51-run opening stand, and when the former departed, Jess Cameron stroked 45 from just 34 deliveries to help Australia post 4-142.

It was a target they’d chased with ease in the group stage, but with the trophy on the line opener Laura Marsh (8) fell early and regular strikes to Lisa Sthalekar, Ellyse Perry and Jess Jonassen had England in deep trouble at 6-90.

It was left to lower-order batters Jenny Gunn and Danielle Hazell to keep the chase alive – just – and the pair setting up a thrilling finale, with 16 runs needed from the last over.

It was bowled by off-spinner Erin Osborne to Hazell and Holly Colvin and had the crowd and fans at home on the edge of their seats.

First came a full toss, followed by a no ball, a dropped catch and a misfield.

Suddenly, England looked as though they might just pull off one of the great come-from-behind victories, needing seven from the final two deliveries.

But Colvin was run out on the penultimate delivery trying desperately for an impossible second run.

And with six needed from the final ball, Osborne held her nerve and only allowed Hazell a single, handing Australia a four-run victory.

Image Id: 1C69417406264110863C2CEC37BA9506 Image Caption: Back-to-back winners // Getty

"I think a lot of Twenty20 games end up really tight, especially finals because there’s not much in it between the teams and it’s such a short game so things ebb and flow all the time," Ellyse Perry recalled four years later, speaking to cricket.com.au ahead of the 2016 tournament in India.

"It always felt like we were in a contest and something we've prided ourselves on is winning those tight moments.

"That was the next evolution for our team in terms of having won the first one, then to be able to back it up and win the next one.

"England have been such competitors of ours for so long and it was really great.”

Women’s World T20s 2018 + 2020

The 2018 World T20 will be played in St Lucia, Guyana and Antigua from November 2-25, with the schedule for the tournament still to be confirmed by the International Cricket Council.

Then, just 14 months later, it will be Australia’s turn to host the tournament. As revealed by the ICC and Cricket Australia earlier this year, group matches will be played at Junction Oval, the WACA, Spotless Stadium and Manuka Oval from February 21, 2020, with the semi-finals to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The event will culminate in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on International Women’s Day, March 8 2020.

CommBank Tour of Malaysia

October 18: First ODI v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lumpur

October 20: Second ODI v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 22: Third ODI v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 25: First T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 27: Second T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

October 29: Third T20I v Pakistan, Kinrara Academy Oval

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground