We were up for a classic Ashes rivalry, as the two unbeaten sides in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Australia, led by their stand-in skipper, Tahlia McGrath, were up against England, led by skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, in the top-of-the-table clash at the Holkar Stadium, Indore.
Australia made as many as three changes to their side; Sophie Molineux replaced Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth replaced Darcie Brown, and Georgia Voll came in for the injured Alyssa Healy in the side. England retained the same side that took the field in their previous encounter.
Tammy Beaumont’s 78, lower order runs, pushes England to 244/9
The England openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones got their side off to a promising start, with a 55-run opening partnership, after the stand-in skipper, Tahlia McGrath, won the toss and opted to bowl first. Annabel Sutherland broke the stand, by sending Amy Jones (18 off 26 balls) back to the pavilion in the 9th over of the innings, to provide the first breakthrough for Australia.
Heather Knight joined Tammy Beaumont at the crease, and the pair took them closer to the 100-run mark. Upon review, Heather Knight (20 off 27 balls) was adjudged lbw and Sophie Molineux in the 18th over of the innings provided the 2nd breakthrough for her side. The departure of the centurion from the previous game potentially proved to be the opening Australia were searching for.
England was reduced to 166/6 in the 40th over of the innings. Charlie Dean joined Alice Capsey, and the pair took the attack to the Australian bowlers en route to their 61-run partnership for the 7th wicket, which also took them closer to the 230-run mark. Sophie Molineux returned and broke the stand, by dismissing Alice Capsey (38 off 32 balls), who was pinned on the back leg, looking to swipe across the line, providing the much-needed 7th breakthrough for Australia.
England managed to push the total closer to the 250-run mark (244/9) in their quota of 50 overs. Tammy Beaumont (78 off 105 balls) top-scored with the bat for England, Charlie Dean (26 off 27 balls), and Sophie Ecclestone (10* off 7 balls) chipped in with vital contributions with the bat for their side.
Annabel Sutherland (10-1-60-3), Sophie Molineux (10-0-52-2), and Ashleigh Gardner (9-0-39-2) were impressive with the ball for Australia. The leg-spinner Alana King (10-1-20-1) choked the English batters.
Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland guide Australia to a thumping win
Chasing a total of 245, Australia were pushed on the back foot early on at 24/3 in the 6th over of the run chase. Annabel Sutherland joined Beth Mooney at the crease, and the duo led a much-needed 44-run partnership for the 4th wicket, leading a crucial recovery for Australia. A sharp catch from skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt ended Beth Mooney’s (20 off 30 balls) stay at the crease in the 16th over of the innings. Sophie Ecclestone provided the breakthrough for England.
Ashleigh Gardner joined Annabel Sutherland at the crease, and the pair weathered the storm earlier and switched through the gears as they progressed deeper into the innings. The duo took Australia over the line with a record 180*-run partnership for the 5th wicket. Australia eventually sealed the run chase with 6 wickets in hand and 59 balls to spare.
Ashleigh Gardner (104* off 73 balls) registered her 2nd century in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, both of them coming in the ongoing edition of the tournament. Annabel Sutherland (98* off 112 balls) registered her maiden half-century in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. Linsey Smith (8-0-43-2), Lauren Bell (8-0-48-1), and Sophie Ecclestone (9.3-0-62-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for England. Charlie Dean (6-0-32-0) was impressive with the ball for her side.
Annabel Sutherland was awarded the Player of the Match for her blockbuster all-round impact, 10-1-60-3 with the ball and an unbeaten half-century (98* off 112) with the bat to guide Australia side over the line. She, alongside Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King, played a crucial role in handing England their first defeat of the ongoing edition of the tournament. Australia reclaimed the top spot in the points table.
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