Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner compiled a 180-run partnership to help Australia win against England in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, held in Indore on Wednesday.
Spinners Alana King (1/20), Sophie Molineux (2/52), Gardner (2/39) and pacer Sutherland (3/60) restricted England to a modest 244 for nine, despite Tammy Beaumont’s patient 79 off 108 balls after opting to bowl.
Sutherland (98 not out) then capped off a fine day by anchoring the run chase, rescuing Australia from a shaky start and guiding them home in the company of Gardner (104 not out), who provided the perfect foil with her fluent strokeplay.
With this win, Australia not only maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament, but also reclaimed the top spot on the points table.
When chasing a below par target, Australia found themselves in early trouble at 24 for three inside six overs, as the English new-ball pair of Linsey Smith and Lauren Bell hit consistent lengths and removed the top order cheaply.
However, Australia’s famed batting depth once again proved to be the difference between the two sides.
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Australia's victory was anchored by a composed run chase after England's innings faltered. The chase was steadied by Beth Mooney (20) and Annabel Sutherland, followed by a boundary-hitting surge from Ashleigh Gardner and the 24-year-old Sutherland, allowing Australia to reach the target with 57 balls to spare.
Earlier, England started strongly thanks to Tammy Beaumont and an aggressive Amy Jones (18), who put on a 55-run opening stand.
Beaumont continued her form, reaching her first fifty of the tournament.
However, the partnership was broken by a brilliant delivery from Sutherland, which triggered another familiar English collapse. Key partnerships from Alice Capsey (38) and Charlie Dean (26) added late runs, but the middle order struggled against the tight bowling of Alana King and Sophie Molineux.
King, in particular, demonstrated why she is considered one of the most skillful wrist spinners, playing a crucial role in dismantling England's innings.
Australia will take on South Africa next in their final league stage fixture on October 25 while England face New Zealand the next day.
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