In one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Australia stormed back from 68-4 to demolish England by six wickets at Indore’s Holkar Cricket Stadium on October 22. Annabel Sutherland (98*) and Ash Gardner (104*) stitched together an unbroken 180-run partnership for the fifth wicket, turning what looked like England’s breakthrough victory into Australia’s statement win.
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ICC Women’s World Cup: Match at a Glance
Australia chased down England’s 244-9 with 57 balls to spare, reclaiming the top spot on the tournament table and handing England their first defeat of the competition.
| Match Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Result | Australia won by 6 wickets |
| England Innings | 244-9 (50 overs) |
| Australia Innings | 248-4 (40.3 overs) |
| Top Scorer (England) | Tammy Beaumont (78) |
| Top Scorer (Australia) | Ash Gardner (104* off 69 balls) |
| Match-Defining Partnership | 180* runs (Sutherland-Gardner, 5th wicket) |
| Player of the Match | Ash Gardner (104* + 2 wickets) |
| Venue | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore |
| Australia’s Position | Return to top of table, unbeaten |
England’s Promising Start Fades in Middle Overs
England’s openers thrashed their way to 55-1 in the powerplay, with Beaumont scoring 78, but their innings crumbled under pressure from Australia’s spin trio.
England’s Innings Breakdown:
- Powerplay (0-10 overs): 55-1 – Excellent start with Beaumont and Amy Jones attacking
- Middle Overs (11-40): 129-5 – Between the 20th and 30th overs, England added just 26 runs as Alana King extracted prolific turn and bounce
- Death Overs (41-50): 60-3 – Alice Capsey (38 off 32) and Charlie Dean (26 off 27) added 61 runs for the seventh wicket
Annabel Sutherland claimed three wickets for 60 runs, while Australia’s spinners shared the wickets with Ash Gardner and Sophie Molineux taking two apiece. But it was Alana King’s miserly 1 for 20 from her 10 overs that was crucial in stymying England in the middle overs.
The 244-run total felt below par on a batting-friendly Indore surface, and Australia’s chase proved that assessment correct.
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Australia’s Early Collapse: 68-4 and Staring at Defeat
Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith had removed both Australian openers in the powerplay as England set up for an exciting second innings. The defending champions were reeling at 24-3, then 68-4, with their chase in serious jeopardy.
How Australia Lost Four Quick Wickets:
- Bell produced an absolute jaffa to remove Phoebe Litchfield in the first over
- Linsey Smith darted one in to bamboozle Georgia Voll
- Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney fell cheaply
- England smelled blood with Australia’s middle order exposed
At 68-4, England had all the momentum. The unbeaten Australia juggernaut seemed ready to derail. But two extraordinary players had other plans.
The Partnership That Changed Everything
What followed was batting of the highest caliber. Sutherland and Gardner compiled a centurion stand to bring Australia back into their chase, combining power-hitting with intelligent cricket.
Sutherland’s Mature 98:*
- Anchored the innings with calculated aggression
- Rotated strike brilliantly to give Gardner the strike
- Remained unbeaten on 98, just two runs short of a maiden World Cup century
- Showcased maturity beyond her years in a pressure situation
Gardner’s Explosive 104:*
- Reached her century off just 69 deliveries with a slightly streaky four, including 15 fours
- It was her second century of the tournament
- The 100 off 69 balls makes this the quickest century of this World Cup
- Gardner scored her first ODI hundred in 2025, and now she has three
The partnership was a masterclass in chasing under pressure, turning a potential defeat into a comprehensive victory with 57 balls remaining.
Check out more record-breaking performances on our cricket records page.
England’s Middle-Order Woes Continue
While Tammy Beaumont’s 78 was a bright spot, England’s middle-order struggles persisted. Emma Lamb managed just 7, while Sophia Dunkley labored to a 48-ball 22.
England’s Batting Concerns:
- Over-reliance on openers and lower-order partnerships
- Middle order unable to accelerate during crucial middle overs
- Nat Sciver-Brunt was lured down the pitch by King and skied the ball to Sutherland at mid-off
- Heather Knight’s departure after a wise Australia review removed her, lbw to Molineux
The total of 244 represented a failure to capitalize on the strong powerplay foundation, and England paid the price when faced with Australia’s depth and resilience.
What the Experts Are Saying
Henry Moeran (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra Commentator): “This is a statement win from a team who can do incredible things on a cricket field. England have been reminded again of where they need to get to.”
Alex Hartley (Former England Bowler): “England put Australia under the pump in the powerplay but they have far too much strength and depth to lose.”
The consensus is clear: Australia demonstrated why they’re defending champions, showing the mental fortitude and batting depth that sets them apart.
Tournament Implications: Australia Reclaim Top Spot
With this six-wicket victory, Australia remain unbeaten and return to the top of the table. Both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals, but this result carries significant psychological weight heading into the knockout stages.
Current Tournament Standings:
- Australia: Unbeaten, top of table (5 wins, 1 no-result)
- England: First loss (4 wins, 1 loss, 1 no-result)
- Other teams competing for semi-final spots
Australia’s ability to win from seemingly impossible positions reinforces their status as favorites to defend their title.
The Dropped Catch That Nearly Changed History
Drama unfolded in the final overs when Heather Knight put down Annabel Sutherland on 95. Running back and reaching over her shoulder, it would have been a spectacular catch that might have given Sutherland a different ending to her innings.
Instead, Sutherland survived, finishing on 98* — agonizingly close to her World Cup century but instrumental in securing victory.
Ash Gardner: World Cup Star on Fire
Gardner’s performance further cements her status as one of the tournament’s standout players. Her all-round contributions — both with bat and ball — make her invaluable to Australia’s title defense.
Gardner’s World Cup 2025 Stats:
- Second century of the tournament
- Three ODI centuries in 2025 (first came this year)
- Consistent wicket-taking with the ball
- Strike rate exceeding 150 in the chase
Her ability to accelerate at will and her fearless approach under pressure make her one of the most dangerous players in women’s cricket today.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Both teams have qualified for the semi-finals, but this result shifts momentum decisively. England must address their middle-order fragility and find ways to break partnerships when opponents are under pressure.
Australia, meanwhile, have sent a clear message to all competitors: even when you have us 68-4, we’re never out of the fight. As commentator Henry Moeran noted, “This is a statement win from a team who can do incredible things on a cricket field”.
Remaining Group Stage Fixtures:
- Australia face South Africa on October 25
- England’s final group match to be confirmed
- Semi-finals scheduled for October 29
The Verdict: Champions Show Championship Pedigree
In a tournament where margins are often razor-thin, Australia demonstrated why they’re the team to beat. Their ability to absorb pressure, trust their depth, and execute under the most intense circumstances separates champions from contenders.
England will rue their middle-over batting collapse and inability to capitalize on having Australia four down. But credit must go to Sutherland and Gardner for one of the great World Cup partnerships — 180 unbroken runs that turned the match on its head.
As the tournament moves toward its climax, one thing is certain: Australia remain the side everyone must beat. And performances like this explain exactly why that task seems nearly impossible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Australia recover from 68-4 to win so comfortably against England?
A: Australia’s recovery was powered by an unbroken 180-run partnership between Annabel Sutherland (98*) and Ash Gardner (104*) for the fifth wicket. When Australia were reeling at 68-4, these two players showcased exceptional composure and skill. Gardner’s century came off just 69 balls, making it the quickest century of this World Cup, while she hit 15 fours in her innings. The partnership was built on intelligent cricket — Sutherland anchored the innings while rotating strike effectively, allowing Gardner to play her natural aggressive game. England had put Australia under the pump in the powerplay after Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith removed both openers, but they simply didn’t have the bowling resources to break this partnership once it gained momentum. Australia’s chase, completed with 57 balls to spare, demonstrated the depth and resilience that defines champion teams.
Q: What went wrong for England despite their strong start with the bat and early Australian wickets?
A: England’s defeat stemmed from two critical failures. First, their batting: despite a strong powerplay (55-1) with Tammy Beaumont scoring 78, they got bogged down badly in the middle overs. Between the 20th and 30th overs, England added just 26 runs as Alana King’s miserly spell (1-20 from 10 overs) extracted prolific turn and bounce. Their middle order struggled again, with Emma Lamb out for 7 and Sophia Dunkley making a labored 48-ball 22. England’s 244-9 felt significantly under par on this surface. Second, their bowling: while they had Australia rocking on 24-3 and 68-4, they couldn’t break the Sutherland-Gardner partnership. Alex Hartley noted that “England put Australia under the pump in the powerplay but they have far too much strength and depth to lose”. Essentially, England’s middle-order batting collapse cost them 30-40 runs, and their inability to take wickets in the middle overs allowed Australia’s quality to shine through.
