Australia’s women’s cricket team continues to set the benchmark at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, with a stunning six-wicket victory over England at Indore’s Holkar Stadium on October 22. The defending champions, already through to the semi-finals, found themselves in peril at 4-68 chasing 245, but a record-breaking, unbeaten 180-run partnership between Ash Gardner and Annabel Sutherland turned the match on its head and left England reeling.
Gardner, who hammered her second century of the tournament with a commanding 104 not out off just 73 deliveries, and Sutherland, who finished agonizingly close to a ton on 98 not out, orchestrated a chase masterclass. The pair’s partnership is now the highest fifth-wicket stand in Australia’s women’s ODI history, underscoring their ability to thrive under pressure and deliver when it matters most.
"I'm very happy — the spinners did a fantastic job with the ball, we had a little bit of a shaky start with the bat, but then Bels and Ash were just world-class," said stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath, filling in for the injured Alyssa Healy. "So good to watch them. It was clinical and I feel for Bels a bit, not getting a hundred. She thoroughly deserved it."
Australia’s path to victory was far from straightforward. England, seeking redemption after being whitewashed 16-0 in the Ashes earlier in the year, started brightly after being put in to bat. Openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones compiled a 55-run partnership in the powerplay, with Beaumont anchoring the innings with a determined 78 off 105 balls, peppered with 10 boundaries and a six. England looked poised for a big total, but Australia’s bowlers, led by Sutherland’s three wickets and Alana King’s miserly spell, soon wrested control.
King’s leg-spin proved vital, especially when she removed England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, tempting her into a mistimed shot that was safely pouched by Sutherland at mid-off. "She's a special player — a big wicket," King said of Sciver-Brunt. "I was happy to see the back of her — we know how damaging she can be. She's got us many times in the past before. I kept it really simple, kept the stumps in play as much as possible and tried to extract as much spin as I can."
England’s middle order struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking as King (1-20 off 10 overs), Sutherland (3-60), Sophie Molineux (2-52), and Gardner (2-39) applied the brakes. Late contributions from Alice Capsey (38 off 32) and Charlie Dean (26 off 27) pushed England to 244 for 9, but it felt a tad light given the conditions and Australia’s deep batting lineup.
"I suppose we didn’t have enough runs," Sciver-Brunt conceded in her post-match interview with Sky Sports. "Alana King bowled very well in the middle overs and really restricted us. It made it very difficult to get a partnership together, but Tammy played very well for her score. With the lights coming on, I think the conditions did change a little bit, although I guess we bowled well in patches. But it just showed the partnership that Ash and Belsey (Sutherland) had there, it just took the game away from us. I am very bad at numbers, but I would have been happy at 280."
Australia’s chase, however, began on shaky ground. Lauren Bell struck early, dismissing Phoebe Litchfield with a peach of a delivery in the first over. Linsey Smith then delivered a double blow, removing Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry in quick succession, before Beth Mooney was caught by Sciver-Brunt off her own bowling. At 4-68, England sensed an opportunity, but Gardner and Sutherland had other ideas.
Gardner’s innings was a blend of power and poise, laced with 16 fours, while Sutherland complemented her perfectly with nine boundaries and a six of her own. The pair rotated the strike with ease, punished anything loose, and methodically dismantled England’s attack. Gardner raced to her hundred off just 69 balls, while Sutherland, dropped in the final over by Heather Knight, selflessly ensured the chase was completed without fuss, even if it meant missing out on a deserved century.
"I'm happy she got it done," Sutherland said with a smile, referring to Gardner’s role in finishing the match. Sutherland’s all-round performance, which included three wickets earlier in the day, earned her the Player of the Match accolade and further cemented her status as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, now with 15 scalps.
Australia’s win, their fifth of the tournament, propelled them back to the top of the league table with 11 points from six matches, one of which was washed out. England, despite the defeat, remain third and have also secured a semi-final berth, setting up the possibility of a rematch between the two sides later in the competition.
McGrath, reflecting on the team’s resilience and adaptability, praised the depth of Australia’s squad. "A little bit of a shaky start with the bat, but then Bells and Ash were just world class. It was so good to watch them. It was clinical and I feel for Bells a bit, not getting a hundred because she thoroughly deserved it." With Alyssa Healy, the tournament’s top run scorer, sidelined by a minor calf strain and her status for Saturday’s clash against South Africa uncertain, McGrath’s leadership and the team’s collective experience have been vital.
"I’ll leave that in the hands of the physio. I think she is tracking nicely, but it is a bit of day-by-day progress," McGrath said of Healy’s recovery, hinting at cautious optimism for Australia’s next match.
For England, the focus now shifts to their final group stage encounter with New Zealand in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Sciver-Brunt remains upbeat, determined to take the positives from the defeat. "We will take the positives and the learnings. We weren’t at our best today, but we will be ready if we see them again (later in the tournament)." After a campaign that’s seen both highs and lows, England will be eager to regroup and fine-tune their game ahead of the knockouts.
As the World Cup heads toward its business end, Australia’s blend of experience, talent, and composure under pressure continues to shine through. Gardner and Sutherland’s partnership wasn’t just a match-winner—it was a statement of intent from a team that refuses to be rattled, no matter the situation. With their place atop the standings secured and momentum firmly on their side, Australia looks every bit the team to beat as the tournament marches on.
