Reigning champion Australia defeated 2009 winner England in the final of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 at R.Premadasa Stadium today and in doing so, Australia, became the first team (male or female) to retain the ICC World Twenty20 trophy.

Jess Cameron led the way with the bat as Australia reached 142 for four – a score that was close to what Australia set when the teams clashed in the group stage. On that occasion England successfully overhauled Australia's total of 144 but, this time, England's big hitters Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor were unable to replicate their Galle match-winning performances as Australia's all-round effort saw the side to victory by four runs.

South Africa secured an automatic qualification place in the ICC World Twenty20 2014 after a dramatic five wicket win over Pakistan in a low scoring contest in Colombo on Wednesday, while India beat host Sri Lanka by nine wickets to seal the last automatic qualification spot in the 2014 event.

Despite chasing a meagre 88 to win, South Africa managed to secure victory with just one ball of the game remaining. After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Pakistan struggled to find any form on a slow wicket, with only Bismah Maroof making double figures in an invaluable innings of 32 at the Moors Cricket Ground in Colombo.

West Indies and two-times finalist New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012, after each recorded victories on the final day of Group B matches in Galle on Sunday. A strong all-round performance by Stafanie Taylor cemented a West Indies victory over South Africa by 10 wickets, while New Zealand defeated host Sri Lanka by eight wickets, with 26 balls remaining.

After the final Group B matches, West Indies has finished on top of the table with New Zealand second. Their opponents in the 4 and 5 October semi-finals in Colombo will be confirmed after tomorrow's match between defending champion Australia and former winner England. In contrast, South Africa and Sri Lanka will play in the play-offs in Colombo on Wednesday 3 October and their opponents will also be known after India-Pakistan match.

The ICC World T20 kicked off in full earnest today with the start of the Super Eights stage of the tournament with hosts Sri Lanka taking on New Zealand in the first of two matches in picturesque Pallekele. It was the Kiwis who won the toss and opted to make first use of a glorious batting strip. New Zealand posted a slightly under par 174-7 in their 20 overs, failing to make the most of the middle overs. Rob Nicol top scored with 58, with Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill all making useful contributions at the top of the order. Sri Lanka in response were off like a rocket in their chase, and at 119-1 in 12 overs were coasting to an easy win. However, a late order collapse resulted in the first close game of the tournament with the match ending in an incredible tie. A Super Over was needed to decide a victor, and Sri Lanka's superior individual brilliance got the better of New Zealand's team ethic in a one-sided ending.

New Zealand made one change to their team from the last game with Martin Guptill returning to the top of the order in place of fast bowler Adam Milne, having recovered from his little nigle. Sri Lanka meanwhile two changes with Dilshan Munaweera dropping out to make way for the returning Ajantha Mendis, while the unlucky veteran Rangana Herath was replaced by debutant Akila Dananjaya.