- News
- Sports News
- Cricket News
- England vs Australia Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner fire Australia to six-wicket win over England
England vs Australia Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner fire Australia to six-wicket win over England
Chasing 245, Australia slumped to 24/3 within the first six overs, as England’s new-ball pair Linsey Smith and Lauren Bell struck early blows. But what followed was a commanding rescue act. Sutherland, who capped her superb all-round display with an unbeaten 98, joined forces with Gardner, who struck a fluent 104 not out. The duo added an unbroken 180-run partnership — one that completely turned the match around and silenced England’s momentum.
Their effort ensured Australia reached the target with 57 balls remaining, maintaining their unbeaten record in the tournament and moving back to the top of the points table.
Earlier, England chose to bat first and got a strong start through Tammy Beaumont, who anchored the innings with a composed 79 from 108 balls. Amy Jones (18) and Heather Knight (20) provided brief support, while Alice Capsey (38) and Charlie Dean (26) lifted the side towards a modest total of 244/9.
Australia’s bowling, however, never allowed England to break free. Sutherland took 3/60, while Gardner (2/39), Sophie Molineux (2/52) and Alana King (1/20) choked the scoring with disciplined spells. King’s dismissal of Nat Sciver-Brunt and Molineux’s breakthrough against Knight proved decisive in halting England’s progress.
Beaumont’s fluent strokeplay and positive intent kept England afloat, but wickets at regular intervals meant the total never threatened Australia’s depth.
In reply, after the early wobble, Gardner and Sutherland showcased poise and power, steering Australia home with ease. Their partnership not only sealed the contest but also highlighted why Australia continue to be the benchmark side in women’s cricket.
Megan Schutt to Tammy Beaumont, Aims the top of the off stump and bowls on a back of a length, does Megan. Tammy rides the bounce and defends it into the deck.
Megan Schutt to Tammy Beaumont, Hard length and outside off, Tammy shuffles and tries to defend it with a straight bat face. Gets squared up and gets an inside edge towards backward square leg for a single.
Megan Schutt to Tammy Beaumont, Shaping back in, on a length and around off, Tammy gets behind the line and nudges it to mid-wicket.
Megan Schutt to Tammy Beaumont, FOUR! TOP SHOT! Short of a good length and angling in, around middle. Tammy Beaumont uses her feet, gets on top of the bounce and pulls it along the ground to deep backward square leg for a boundary.
Megan Schutt to Amy Jones, Sliding in, on a length and around middle, Amy Jones gets forward and goes across before flicking it to deep backward square leg for a single.
Reflecting on her last outing, Knight noted that the pitch had some tennis-ball bounce and stressed on rotating the strike smartly. She added, “Cricket is all about momentum and peaking at the right time. It’s important for us to carry that rhythm forward.” England will need her experience against a strong Australian attack today, even though both teams have booked their semifinal spots.
She confirmed that Georgia Voll will open the innings in place of Alyssa Healy, who misses out due to a minor calf injury.
Beth Mooney takes over wicketkeeping duties, while Sophie Molineux and Kim Garth return to the lineup. England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt said she also wanted to bowl first, expecting dew later. Both teams are unbeaten so far and will look to top the points table today.
Done with the pre-match rituals. 'God Save the King' and 'Advance Australia Fair' are sung with utmost pride. It is now time for the fiercest rivalry in cricket to get underway, here in Indore. The two umpires make their way out to the middle. Tahlia McGrath leads her side out of the team huddle as the Aussies spread across the field and take their fielding spots. Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont will open for England Women. Megan Schutt is with the new ball, all geared up for the opening over. A slip in place. Jones to face. Here we go...
The flags of both nations are unfurled in the center as it is now time for the national anthems. With perfect coordination, the players of both sides walk out and line up, followed by the match officials. It will be England's national anthem first, followed by Australia's.
Heather Knight, the former England captain, is up for a quick chat before the start of the play. She says that it feels great to be back after the injury, and she’s eager to make every opportunity count. Admits that it’s been tough to sit out, but now that she’s back, she’s hungry to perform and help her side lift the trophy. Mentions that working on specific shots to handle that tennis-ball bounce seen in the last game, focusing on strike rotation and maximizing boundary options, something she feels aligns well with her strengths. Speaking about the match against Australia, Heather says that there’s no change in approach even though England have already sealed a knockout spot, as they just want to play their best cricket against a team as strong as Australia - she adds confidently. At different stages of the tournament, she notes, various players have stepped up and delivered when needed. Praises the team’s preparation and combinations, saying the balance and mindset within the group have been excellent so far, and that they’re ready to build on that momentum.
PITCH REPORT - Aaron Finch is at the 22 yards, sharing his first impressions. He notes a light breeze sweeping across the field. On dimensions, he says the dimensions are fairly uniform, with the squares measuring 57 and 56 meters, and 67 meters straight down the ground, making it a decent-sized field. Former West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite adds his take, calling it a strange surface with very little spin, pointing out that it has the second-lowest turn in the tournament. He observes a good cover of grass on top, but underneath the pitch is dry with a few cracks. Brathwaite expects the ball to keep low as the game goes on and advises batters to focus on playing straight to handle the tricky bounce.
The skipper of England Women, Nat Sciver-Brunt, says that they wanted to bowl first as well, expecting a bit of dew later in the evening. Since they’re batting first, the plan is simple to put up a strong total on the board. She stresses about the importance of partnerships, saying that maintaining momentum and building stands will be key, especially after seeing how India capitalised with big partnerships in their last outing. Informs that they’re going with the same playing XI, keeping the combination steady ahead of the knockouts. Adds that the team has had clear discussions about staying confident and composed as they approach the crucial stages of the tournament. With a smile, she says that it’s always exciting to face Australia, especially when both teams are unbeaten.
The captain of Australia Women, Tahlia McGrath, says they are pretty happy to chase under the light and keep the momentum going in the tournament. Points that there is a little bit of grass left on the wicket, and hence, bowling first feels like a good option. Stresses that it is very important to keep winning in these tournaments. Also shares that they have a few different players with different roles for this game and is excited to give them the opportunity. Informs that they have three changes in the team. Mentions that Georgia Voll is back in the side and will open the innings, whereas Sophie Molineux and Kim Garth are back in the side as well.
Australia Women (Playing XI) - Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll (In place of Alyssa Healy), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney (WK), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath (C), Sophie Molineux (In place of Georgia Wareham), Alana King, Kim Garth (In place of Darcie Brown), and Megan Schutt.
England Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (WK), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell.
TOSS - Both skippers have walked out to the middle. The conditions are far, far better here than in Colombo, with the sun peeking through the clouds, and it is expected to remain a bit humid. Okay, here it is - the stand-in skipper of Australia Women, Tahlia McGrath, flips the coin and Nat Sciver-Brunt calls 'Heads'. But it lands 'Tails' and Australia win the toss. They have elected to FIELD first.
England, opting to bat, were limited to 244/9 as Australia’s bowling unit kept control despite Tammy Beaumont’s fighting 79 off 108 balls. Sutherland (3/60), Gardner (2/39), Alana King (1/20) and Sophie Molineux (2/52) shared the wickets to ensure the total remained below par.
Australia’s reply got off to a poor start at 24/3 as Linsey Smith and Lauren Bell made early inroads. But Sutherland, who missed a century by two runs with an unbeaten 98, and Gardner, who struck a fluent 104 not out, rebuilt with maturity and authority. Their partnership shut England out of the contest, taking Australia to victory with 57 balls to spare.
Earlier, Beaumont gave England a brisk start with boundaries on both sides of the wicket and later stitched useful stands with Heather Knight (20) and Sophia Dunkley (22). But consistent strikes from Australia’s spinners derailed England’s middle order.
With the win, Australia not only stayed unbeaten but also reclaimed the top spot on the points table, once again underlining their depth and composure under pressure.wicket-taker in women’s ODIs. Katherine Sciver-Brunt tops the list with 170 scalps.
Match Statistics
Venue
Holkar Stadium, Indore
