Australia defeats England by seven wickets to win seventh Women's T20 World Cup title
via The Namibian3 min read
Australia secured a record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup title by defeating England by seven wickets in a sold-out final at Lord's. Beth Mooney, with 64 runs, and Phoebe Litchfield, with 48 runs, formed a crucial 100-run partnership, enabling Australia to chase down England's target of 151 with 17 balls remaining. This victory marks Australia's seventh win in world finals against England across both one-day international and T20 cricket. England's innings was bolstered by captain Nat-Sciver Brunt's 58 not out and Freya Kemp's 44 not out, who put on an unbroken 80-run stand after England was 70-4. Australian bowlers Kim Garth and Lucy Hamilton were key in restricting England to 150-4. England coach Charlotte Edwards expressed disappointment, stating that Australia "completely outplayed" her team. Australia's Annabel Sutherland praised the bowlers' performance and the team's batting freedom. England, aiming for their first major title since the 2017 50-over World Cup, struggled to gain momentum throughout the match.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Charles Leclerc claimed his first British Grand Prix victory, marking Ferrari's 250th win and their first at Silverstone since 2022. The 28-year-old Monegasque driver finished 0.427 seconds ahead of Mercedes' George Russell. The race concluded behind a safety car after series leader Kimi Antonelli experienced mechanical problems and Max Verstappen crashed out. Lewis Hamilton, in the other Ferrari, dropped from second to third after a pit stop decision and a five-second penalty for a false start. Leclerc's win, his ninth Grand Prix victory and first since October 2024, places him fourth in the championship with 108 points. Antonelli, despite a poor start and late car repairs, still leads the title race with 179 points. Russell achieved his first home event podium, while Hamilton secured his 16th podium at Silverstone. The race, held in front of 175,000 fans, ended in frustration for many spectators due to the safety car finish, which prevented a final racing lap showdown.
Mexican rider Isaac Del Toro secured victory in the second stage of the Tour de France in Barcelona, finishing ahead of reigning champion Tadej Pogacar. Jonas Vingegaard maintained his overall lead in the race. Del Toro, making his Tour debut, led his UAE team leader Pogacar to the finish line on the Montjuic climb. Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel placed third, just ahead of Vingegaard. Pogacar earned six bonus seconds, elevating him to second in the yellow jersey standings, six seconds behind Vingegaard. Evenepoel is now third, 15 seconds back. The 169km stage from Tarragona to Barcelona featured a challenging, hilly finish. Del Toro's team increased the pace on the Barcelona circuit, reducing the peloton to about 30 riders, which further thinned out on the final ascent of Montjuic. Del Toro moved to the front in the last 700 meters, with Pogacar following closely. Pogacar appeared to hold back, allowing his teammate to claim the win. This victory moved Del Toro to fourth overall, 16 seconds behind the leader. Del Toro expressed his disbelief and gratitude, highlighting the significance of the win for himself and Mexico. Pogacar celebrated Del Toro's success by waving a Mexican flag. Both Del Toro and teenage French rider Paul Seixas, who finished sixth overall, overcame mechanical issues earlier in the stage to rejoin the peloton and compete for the win.
Standard Bank Namibia employees are threatening industrial action after wage negotiations for the 2026/27 cycle reached a deadlock. The Namibia Financial Institutions Union Nafinu is demanding a 7% salary increase and higher transport and rental allowances, while the bank has offered a 5% salary increase and a N$50 increase to the transport allowance. Nafinu secretary general Asnath Zamuee stated that workers are angered by what they perceive as a growing imbalance between executive rewards and employee compensation, highlighting that the bank generated approximately N$1.2 billion in profit. She noted that last year, the chief executive and chief financial officers received a combined N$8 million in bonuses. The union rejected the bank’s proposal to introduce funeral benefits, arguing it does not address employees' immediate financial needs. Standard Bank spokesperson Elzita Beukes confirmed the deadlock but defended the bank's offer, stating it exceeds current and projected inflation and includes additional employee benefits. She also cautioned employees about the financial implications of a strike, citing the “no work, no pay” principle. The dispute has progressed through conciliation, and the conciliator is expected to issue ground rules for a protected strike, after which employees will vote on whether to proceed.