Coming back from an Ashes series loss, the Australian Southern Stars played the perfect game with a six wicket win. England was put into bat and started well reaching 1 for 55 by the tenth over.
But the Southern Stars applied the pressure resulting in England losing a subsequent 8 for 46 and finishing with a poor 8 for105. Australian medium pacer Sarah Coyte was a highlight (and player of the match) with 3 wickets for 16 runs off 4 overs.
Sensing the title victory, the Australians batted aggressively with Lanning scoring 44 (off 30 balls) and Perry 31 (off 32). In the end they cruised to victory.
Even the English team admitted the Southern Stars were too strong on the day.
The profile of the women's team and women's cricket has skyrocketed in recent years. The current T20 title will go a long way to lift the sport's profile even further.
The players are hopeful their pioneering efforts will be a stepping stone to professional full-time cricket. Cricket Australia has also seen the growth, and is investing in grass roots girls cricket at school and club level.
All this comes on the back of an outstanding team that continues to define the T20 format of the game.
The real question now becomes one of recognition in national awards. Certainly the Australian women's cricket team has done well. Certainly there has been recognition, but will the Southern Stars be truly recognised when the awards are handed out.
Look who is their opposition in national team recognition – AFL teams, NRL teams, A-League teams, Golf teams, Tennis teams, Hockey teams, Rowing teams. Would any national determination in these awards ever be bold enough, game enough, strong enough to recognise the Southern Stars - above any of these especially football teams? Holding our breath!
Annemarie de Villiers is studying sports science and has a dream to be a sports scientist for a professional club. Born in South Africa, raised in New Zealand and tertiary professionally qualified in Melbourne Australia.
Annmarie de Villers' previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/annemarie-de-villiers.html