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Australia showcased yet another masterclass in composure and counterattack as they defeated England by 6 wickets in the 23rd match of the at the Holkar Stadium, Indore.
Chasing 245, the Aussies overcame early jitters to romp home in just 40.3 overs, thanks to an extraordinary unbeaten 180-run partnership between Ashleigh Gardner (104)* and Annabel Sutherland (98)*. The pair not only rescued Australia from 68/4 but completely dominated the England bowlers in a clinical display of power and precision. With this victory, Australia remained unbeaten in the tournament and moved to the top of the points table with nine points, while England suffered their first defeat after a strong campaign so far.
Women’s World Cup 2025: England’s 244 fails to challenge as Australia’s middle order takes charge
Put in to bat first, England managed 244/9 in their 50 overs, a total that looked competitive but not commanding. Tammy Beaumont led from the front with a well-paced 78 off 105 balls, anchoring the innings after early wickets. However, consistent breakthroughs by Australia’s disciplined bowling unit kept England in check throughout. Sutherland (3/60) was instrumental in dismissing key batters including Beaumont and Amy Jones, while Sophie Molineux (2/52) and Gardner (2/39) applied the brakes in the middle overs. England’s lower order contributed useful runs, Alice Capsey’s quickfire 38 off 32 and Charlie Dean’s 26 off 27 ensured the team crossed 240, but it never looked like a winning score against Australia’s batting depth.
Australia’s chase started shakily as and Linsey Smith reduced them to 24/3, removing the top order inside six overs. When Beth Mooney fell at 68/4, England sensed a major opening. However, Sutherland and Gardner had other plans.
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Women’s World Cup 2025: Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner seal the chase with record partnership masterclass
What followed was one of the most dominant partnerships in recent memory. Sutherland and Gardner rebuilt with maturity before exploding in the second half of the innings. Sutherland’s knock of 98 off 112 balls* was a study in composure, she rotated strike beautifully, punished loose deliveries, and kept the scoreboard ticking. Gardner, on the other hand, was all fire and flair, blasting 104 off just 73 deliveries*, striking 16 fours and maintaining a strike rate of 142.46. Together, they nullified England’s spin threat, targeting Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean with fearless strokeplay, and ensured there were no further hiccups in the chase.
Their unbeaten 180-run stand is now Australia’s highest fifth-wicket partnership in Women’s ODIs, their highest-ever fifth-wicket stand in Women’s ODIs, surpassing the previous best of 151 between Karen Broadbent and Denise Calver. Sutherland was deservedly named Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance, 3 wickets with the ball and a match-winning *98 with the bat. The win showcased Australia’s dominance in the World Cup, while England will need to regroup quickly after their first loss to stay in the race for the top two positions ahead of the knockout phase.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Annabel Sutherland: 98* and 3/60 in 10 overs
Ash Gardner: 104* and 2/39 in 9 overs
Ridiculous. Honestly. This team is unreal.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm)
From 68/4 to 248/4. That's Australia for you. What a partnership between Gardner and Sutherland. Australia Women won easily.
— VIKASH KUMAR (@vkc1000)
Ash Gardner’s such an amazing all-format player, she’s managed to play a Test, ODI and T20I… all in the same batting innings against England.
Talk about multitasking and being multifaceted. 🫡
— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha)
Australia were 68-4 chasing 245 and have done it so easily that the game has ended with them pissing about to try and get someone to a hundred. Ridiculous cricket team
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden)
What an outstanding partnership this by Annabel Sutherland & Ash Gardner . BTW thanks for the odds on Australia England women
— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan)
Annabel Sutherland joins elite list
Guess who's 2nd on list, current coach of Australia, Shelley Nitschke
This is how they've imbibed & carry forward ruthless winning culture ahead
Something which has been missing in current Indian team
BRING IN A FOREIGN COACH
— Skiddy (@world_choker)
Don’t think there is any team in Women’s cricket that can beat this Australian side ! Another dominant win over England !!
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng)
The amount of improvement that Annabel Sutherland has made in both her batting & bowling from the 2022 World Cup to now is truly commendable
Wasn't even in Australia's strongest XI back then, now the first name on the team sheet probably
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17)
How do we stop these unstoppable Aussie women?
The time has come for the world to unite and find a way to defeat this dominant ODI side in Women's cricket!— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
All-round masterclass from Annabel Sutherland 🌟
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
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