Australia Women secured a commanding six-wicket victory over England Women in the 23rd match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, courtesy of a stunning, unbroken 180-run partnership between Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland, which steered the defending champions past a tricky chase.
The victory, achieved with 57 balls to spare, saw Australia maintain their unbeaten record and return to the top of the points table, further cementing their status as tournament favourites.
England’s Innings: A Beaumont Anchor Before Spin Strikes
Winning the toss and electing to field, Australia’s bowlers initially found it tough as England’s openers, Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, got off to a quick start, putting on 55 runs for the first wicket.
Annabel Sutherland provided the breakthrough, bowling Jones for 18. Beaumont, finding form, continued to anchor the innings, but the introduction of Australia’s spin trio quickly applied the brakes. Alana King bowled a superb, economical spell (10-0-20-1), picking up the crucial wicket of England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (7).
Beaumont eventually fell for a well-made 78 (105 balls), becoming one of Sutherland’s three victims (3/60). The middle order struggled against the spin of King and Ashleigh Gardner (2/39), resulting in a slump from 147/3 to 166/6. A late, fighting partnership of 61 between Alice Capsey (38) and Charlie Dean (26) helped England reach a competitive, but ultimately insufficient, total of 244/9 in their 50 overs.
| Player | Runs (Balls) | Wickets (Overs) |
| England | Tammy Beaumont: 78 (105) | Sutherland: 3/60 (10) |
| Alice Capsey: 38 (32) | Gardner: 2/39 (8) | |
| King: 1/20 (10) | ||
| Australia | Ashleigh Gardner: 104* (73) | Linsey Smith: 2/43 (10) |
| Annabel Sutherland: 98* (112) | Sophie Ecclestone: 1/40 (10) | |
| Lauren Bell: 1/48 (7.3) |
Australia’s Chase: A Masterclass in Recovery
The chase for 245 started disastrously for Australia, who were without their captain Alyssa Healy due to injury. England’s opening bowlers, particularly Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith, exploited the conditions. Australia slumped to a perilous 24/3 in the Powerplay, with Bell clean bowling Phoebe Litchfield (1) and Smith removing debutant Georgia Voll (6) and Ellyse Perry (13). When Beth Mooney (20) fell to Sophie Ecclestone, Australia was reeling at 68/4.
This brought together the two heroes of the day, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner. Displaying maturity, power, and excellent strike rotation, the duo launched a spectacular counter-attack. Sutherland, who had been brilliant with the ball, anchored the recovery, bringing up a vital fifty. Gardner, however, turned the game on its head with her explosive hitting, converting her fifty to a century in a devastating burst.
Their magnificent, unbroken 180-run partnership powered Australia home in just the 40th over. Gardner finished on a blistering 104 not out off just 73 balls, hitting 16 fours, while Sutherland remained tantalisingly close to a century with a superb 98 not out off 112 balls, laced with nine fours and a six.
Annabel Sutherland was deservedly named Player of the Match for her exceptional all-round performance with both bat and ball.
