Australia defeated England by six wickets in the 23rd match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, thanks to an outstanding century by Ash Gardner and a strong partnership with Annabel Sutherland. The match took place at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, India, on October 22.
England, who had been unbeaten in the tournament, posted a total of 244/9 in their 50 overs. Tammy Beaumont led the innings with a well-paced 78 runs off 105 balls. Alice Capsey contributed 38 runs, and Charlie Dean added 26 runs, including a crucial seventh-wicket partnership of 61 runs with Capsey. However, Australia’s spinners, particularly Alana King (1/20) and Ash Gardner (2/39), restricted England’s scoring in the middle overs, leading to a challenging total.
In response, Australia faced early setbacks, losing four wickets for just 68 runs. However, Gardner (104no off 73 balls) and Sutherland (98no off 112 balls) formed an unbroken partnership of 180 runs, guiding Australia to victory in 40.3 overs. Gardner’s aggressive batting, including 13 fours, and Sutherland’s steady accumulation of runs were instrumental in the successful chase.
This victory not only ended England’s unbeaten streak but also highlighted Australia’s resilience and depth in both batting and spin bowling. Gardner’s performance, in particular, was a standout, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure. The match also underscored the importance of spin bowling in the subcontinental conditions, with Australia’s spinners playing a pivotal role in restricting England’s scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead, both teams will aim to build on their performances as the tournament progresses, with Australia continuing their unbeaten run and England seeking to bounce back from this defeat.
