Beth Mooney scripted a masterpiece of composure and class as Australia, led by Alyssa Healy, overcame an early collapse to defeat Pakistan by 107 runs in the ongoing 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The match, part of the India and Sri Lanka-hosted tournament, saw the reigning champions in serious strife at 76/7 in the 22nd over, before Mooney’s imperious 109 off 114 balls, laced with 11 boundaries, turned the tide.
Her efforts, ably supported by lower-order partners Kim Garth (11 off 47) and Alana King (51* off 49), guided Australia to a total of 221/9, which proved far beyond Pakistan’s reach as they folded for 114 with 81 balls left unused. Mooney was fittingly named Player of the Match, later reflecting on both the physical and mental challenge of her match-winning innings.
In a candid post-match press conference, Mooney described the innings as one of her most taxing yet fulfilling efforts in Australian colours. “I’m mentally a bit fried now, having spent so much time in my head for the majority of that batting innings,” she admitted. The left-hander emphasised the importance of patience and composure against a Pakistan side that had their tails up early. “We know that teams like Pakistan are front-runners when they’re flying. If you get a little partnership going, they can get a little bit flat, and you can open the game up that way.”
Mooney revealed she consciously resisted the urge to accelerate prematurely. “We knew we had a long time to bat, so we didn’t have to do anything too rash. We were still moving the scoreboard slightly, not probably as much as we’re used to, but that scenario demanded that of us,” she said. Once the innings settled and wickets stopped tumbling, she found the freedom to expand her scoring range. “As the game went on, the game opened up a little bit more for us as batters, and we were able to score a little bit more freely.”
The Australian middle and lower order shouldered the recovery with enduring intent. Mooney and Kim Garth added a gritty 39 runs for the eighth wicket, a partnership that reversed the momentum and allowed a platform for the grandstand between Mooney and Alana King. Their 106-run ninth-wicket partnership not only rescued the innings but etched a new record in Australia’s World Cup history. Reflecting on those moments, Mooney praised both partners: Garth for her resilience and King for her decisiveness.
“Kingy works really hard on her batting,” Mooney smiled. “She was excellent, really clear with her method when she was out there. And once it was time to go, she let loose and smacked a few, which was great to watch.” The innings underlined Australia’s enviable batting depth. “Ideally, she’d probably like to bat a little bit higher, but the depth in this Australian team is almost unheard of. We basically have 11 people who can bat.”
Through the innings, Mooney leaned heavily on insight and communication with the coaching staff stationed near the dugout. “I was trying to find out at what point I could start being a little bit more expansive,” she revealed. “There were maybe 15 overs left when I asked for a number or an over so that I could start playing a few more shots, and a couple of other messages around certain bowlers and different plans.”
She applauded the presence of Australia’s backroom specialists, Dan Marsh, Shelley Nitschke, Scott Prestwidge, and Gav Twining, for their crucial mid-game feedback. “I don’t shy away from feedback as the game’s going on. I think those games are really important to use the resources around you,” Mooney added, noting that tactical clarity helped her regain focus during the most demanding phases of the innings.
When asked about the supposed gulf between the top-four sides and the rest of the field, Mooney dismissed the notion with perspective drawn from her decade-long international career. “We were just 7/79 against Pakistan, weren’t we? So I don’t know if I really agree with that,” she said firmly. “I’ve seen the evolution of the game, and I certainly think Pakistan, Sri Lanka, we’ve seen Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in the past, beat South Africa. Every team’s got their weapons.”
Mooney credited the ICC Women’s Championship for narrowing that divide. “Playing different teams and having the opportunity to expose us to that type of bowling, maybe 10 years ago, that situation might not have happened to an Australian team. But I think this development of the game at a global level has been significant in the last few years.”
Australia’s commanding bowling display, headlined by King’s all-round brilliance, ensured the total of 222 was never truly threatened. Yet, for Mooney, this victory was more than points on the board; it was a reaffirmation of resilience. “We’ve been really blessed with a lot of talent in our top order, and tonight was just one of those nights where we didn’t execute that well as a batting unit,” she reflected. “That’s going to happen sometimes, and we’ve got to live with that and move on.”
As Australia prepares for the next leg of their World Cup defense, Mooney’s innings in Colombo will stand as a model of temperament under duress, a reminder that champions are often defined not by dominance, but by their ability to recover and recalibrate when chaos strikes.
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