The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 arrives with Australia once again stepping in as the team to beat. No side has defined the history of the tournament quite like the Southern Stars, whose seven titles — in 1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013 and 2022 — remain unmatched. As defending champions, their pursuit of an eighth crown carries both expectation and inevitability, built on a record of dominance that has shaped generations of women’s cricket.
Australia’s form in 2025 underlines why they are considered favourites. They have played six ODIs this year, winning five of them, their only blemish a defeat to India in New Chandigarh — also their heaviest ODI loss. Beth Mooney has been the standout performer with 323 runs from six innings, her consistency matched by Ellyse Perry’s 218 and Ashleigh Gardner’s 202, while their attack has been spearheaded by Alana King’s 12 wickets alongside Kim Garth and Megan Schutt’s nine apiece.
Momentum began in January with a 3-0 whitewash of England at home. The opener in Sydney saw Gardner’s all-round brilliance — 42* and 3/19 — steer a smooth chase of 205. The second contest tested their resilience as Perry’s 60 lifted them to 180 before King (4/25) and Garth (3/37) bundled England out for 159. The final ODI in Melbourne was a statement: Gardner’s 102 from 102 and King’s 5/46 powered an emphatic 86-run victory.
Their sternest test came in India this September. In the first ODI at New Chandigarh, Phoebe Litchfield anchored a chase of 282 with a polished 88 off 80, supported by Mooney’s 77* and Annabel Sutherland’s 54*. But the second ODI shifted dramatically — Australia were dismissed for 190, losing by 102 runs, their heaviest defeat in ODI history. They responded like champions in the decider at New Delhi, posting 412 — equalling their joint-highest total — with Mooney blazing 138 from 75 and Georgia Voll striking 81. India fought hard but fell 43 short, with Garth (3/69) the standout bowler.
Since lifting the World Cup in 2022, Australia have remained the benchmark of consistency, blending experience with youth. Perry, Mooney, and Gardner provide stability and firepower, while King and Schutt lead a bowling unit that rarely lets the opposition settle. The additions of Litchfield and Voll point to the depth of talent pushing through — a balance of legacy and renewal that keeps them ahead of the curve.
Australia sharpens their preparations with a warm-up against England on September 27 before their title defence begins.
Australia’s schedule at Women’s World Cup 2025:
1 October 2025: vs New Zealand – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
4 October 2025: vs Sri Lanka – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
8 October 2025: vs Pakistan – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
12 October 2025: vs India – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
16 October 2025: vs Bangladesh – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
22 October 2025: vs England – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
25 October 2025: vs South Africa – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
*All games have a start time of 3:00 PM IST
Australia’s squad for Women’s World Cup 2025:
Alyssa Healy (C), Tahlia McGrath (VC), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Loves all things female cricket