The Women’s World Cup 2025 warm-up fixtures continued to deliver fireworks, and in Bengaluru, England edged out Australia in a pulsating chase that underlined their batting depth and fearless intent ahead of the tournament proper.
Asked to bat first, Australia wasted no time in setting the tone. While skipper Alyssa Healy fell cheaply to Lauren Bell in just the opening over, Phoebe Litchfield lit up the ground with a dazzling stroke-filled 71 off just 48 balls, cracking 13 fours and a six.
Ashleigh Gardner’s brisk 28 off 25 and Beth Mooney’s 59* off 42 along with handy cameos from the lower order kept the scoreboard ticking, but England’s bowlers struck at crucial intervals to prevent Australia from completely running away. Sarah Glenn was the standout with 5/32, combining sharp variations with smart lines. England’s fielding, too, proved decisive with well-judged catches.
Australia were eventually bowled out for 247 in just 34.4 overs, a total that looked competitive but also slightly under-par given their rollicking start.
England’s reply had early stumbles. Amy Jones (11 off 17), Tammy Beaumont (8 off 11), and skipper Heather Knight (5 off 9) all departed within the powerplay, leaving them wobbling at 32 for 3. Australia sensed an opening, but what followed was a counterattack that tilted the contest.
Sophia Dunkley absorbed the pressure, compiling a fluent 54 with nine boundaries, steadying the innings alongside the fearless Alice Capsey. The 20-year-old all-rounder once again displayed her ability to change the tempo of a game, launching into the Australian attack with crisp strokeplay. Capsey’s unbeaten 88 from 85 balls, decorated with 13 fours, was the innings of the day – aggressive, composed, and utterly match-defining.
Emma Lamb provided the perfect foil, batting with calm authority for her 60 (63 balls), ensuring England never lost momentum. Their 109-run stand for the fifth wicket carried England past the tricky phase and into a position of command.
Though Dunkley and Lamb departed, Capsey held firm, steering her side home with Em Arlott for company. England crossed the line at 251 for 6 in 44.3 overs, sealing a four-wicket win with 33 balls to spare.
As the World Cup approaches, both teams will view this contest as a valuable dress rehearsal—one that offers a glimpse of the drama, pressure, and intensity the tournament is certain to bring.
Australia will now turn their focus to a blockbuster opener against New Zealand on October 1, while England begin their campaign two days later against South Africa on October 3.
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