The twenty-third fixture of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 sets up a blockbuster encounter as Australia Women take on England Women on October 22nd at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. The action begins at 3:00 PM IST, promising a high-octane battle between two of the fiercest rivals in women’s cricket.
Australia come into this clash brimming with confidence and momentum. Their campaign has gathered serious steam — beginning with a commanding 89-run win over New Zealand after posting 328, followed by a brief rain-hit outing against Sri Lanka that did little to break their rhythm. Against Pakistan, Australia showcased remarkable grit, recovering from 115/8 through a Mooney–King stand before rolling Pakistan out for 114. Their most defining moment arrived versus India, where they chased down a massive 331-run target with an over to spare, reaffirming their dominance. They then extended their winning streak with a 10-wicket demolition of Bangladesh, reflecting their all-round strength.
England, meanwhile, have displayed both brilliance and resilience throughout their campaign. They began in emphatic fashion, bundling out South Africa for 69 and sealing a 10-wicket victory. In their next outing, reduced to 103/6 while chasing 178 against Bangladesh, Heather Knight’s composure saw them through with four wickets to spare. The batters clicked collectively against Sri Lanka to post 254 and secure an 89-run win. Despite a setback against Pakistan and a rain-curtailed no-result, England steadied themselves with a thrilling 4-run win over India, showcasing their fighting spirit when it mattered most.
Squads:
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Alyssa Healy (C), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
England Women’s Cricket Team
Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Tammy Beaumont, Em Arlott, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Players to watch out for:
Phoebe Litchfield
The 22-year-old left-handed opener continues to impress with her elegance and temperament at the top. Her last five innings — 71, 45, 10, 40, and 84* — highlight her consistency, with four of those coming in this World Cup. Having already piled up 1,162 runs in 33 ODIs at an outstanding average, Litchfield’s ability to build and accelerate makes her a pivotal figure in Australia’s batting order.
Alana King
A proven match-winner with both bat and ball, the 29-year-old leg spinner has quietly become one of Australia’s most reliable assets. Her recent figures — 0/19, 2/44, 1/19, 0/49, and 2/18 — underline her control and precision. Her game-changing 51* against Pakistan rescued Australia from a collapse, reaffirming her value as a lower-order savior. With 64 wickets in 44 ODIs (best 5/46), King’s variations and accuracy could be crucial on the Indore surface.
Alice Capsey
The 21-year-old all-rounder has shown glimpses of her immense potential despite modest returns so far. With batting scores of 20, 0, 16, and 2, she’s due for a breakout innings. However, her bowling has provided England vital breakthroughs, with returns of 2/31 and 1/15. In 31 ODIs, Capsey has scored 381 runs and taken 15 wickets, making her a valuable multi-dimensional player when in form.
Heather Knight
England’s inspirational skipper has once again been their anchor under pressure. Her scores of 79, 29, 18, and 109 in the tournament showcase her consistency and ability to guide her side through tough chases. Having amassed 4,272 runs in 154 ODIs with a best of 109, and taken 56 wickets, Knight’s leadership and experience make her the heartbeat of England’s campaign.
Pitch:
The Holkar Cricket Stadium is renowned for producing high-scoring contests, offering a true surface with plenty of runs on offer. Early in the innings, the pitch provides even bounce and value for shots, while as the match wears on, spinners tend to come into play. Teams winning the toss often prefer to bat first to exploit the best of batting conditions. The average first-innings score hovers around 280, promising another enthralling bat-ball contest.
Weather:
Indore is set to experience partly sunny and humid conditions on match day, with the mercury touching 31°C. The chance of rain remains minimal at 5%, though humidity may rise to 56% as the evening progresses. Light winds around 10 kph could assist seamers early, while spinners are expected to enjoy grip in the second innings.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Phoebe Litchfield, Alana King, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Heather Knight, Amy Jones, Charlie Dean, Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone
Match Details:
Date – October 22, 2025
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
Broadcast – Live streaming on JioHotstar; Telecast on Star Sports Network
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