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- 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.
Ashleigh Gardner to Sophia Dunkley, OUT! STUMPED! Absolute beauty from Gardner as she gets her first wicket. Gardner spots Sophia dancing down the track and darts in a fuller delivery, keeping it slightly outside off. Sophia Dunkley is beaten by pace and is not upto the pitch of the ball. Tries to work it across the line but the ball sneaks through the gap of bat and pad and Beth Mooney collects it cleanly behind the stumps before whipping the bails off. Dunkley is way, way out of her crease. She tries to get back but stands no chance and falls flat on the ground. Sophia Dunkley departs after a very sluggish innings. 22 (48) for her and England Women are 166/6 down now.
- Sophia Dunkley 22 (47)
- Alice Capsey 3 (6)
Alana King to Sophia Dunkley, Nervy, very nervy! Full from King, turns away from off, on a fullish length. Sophia Dunkley leans on and tries to drive down the ground, but ends up chipping it uppishly, to the left of the bowler. Dunkley is called through for a single by Capsey as the ball rolls towards mid off. Capsey has to dive to get home as the throw comes flat and straight to Mooney, who whips the bails off in a flash. There is an appeal for run out, but Capsey has made her ground in the nick of time.
Alana King to Alice Capsey, On off, short and spinning away. Alice Capsey rocks back and punches it to deep extra cover for a single.
Alana King to Alice Capsey, Sharp turn from a shorter length, Alice Capsey hangs back and dabs it to backward point.
Alana King to Sophia Dunkley, Leg break, full and outside off, Dunkley eases it through cover and point for an easy single.
Alana King to Sophia Dunkley, Flights it up, full and on the leg stump, Sophia Dunkley flicks it to work it down the ground, but Georgia Voll from mid-wicket dives to her left and stops it.
Alana King to Sophia Dunkley, Alana King is back on. Dishes out a full ball, on off, Sophia Dunkley defends it straight back.
- Alice Capsey 2 (4)
- Sophia Dunkley 20 (43)
Sophie Molineux to Alice Capsey, Shortens the length on middle, does Molineux. Alice Capsey goes deep inside the crease and works it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs.
Sophie Molineux to Alice Capsey, Straighter and fuller, pushed back to the bowler.
Sophie Molineux to Alice Capsey, Nice and full, in front of the stumps, defended off the front foot.
Sophie Molineux to Alice Capsey, Pitched full and around off, Alice drives it to short cover.
Sophie Molineux to Sophia Dunkley, On a back of a length, on the stumps, steered away to deep square leg for a single.
Sophie Molineux to Sophia Dunkley, Shorter delivery, coming in with the arm on the pads, Dunkley is beaten on the defence. She wears it high on the front pad. An appeal from Molineux for LBW, but turned down. Seemingly heading down leg.
Alice Capsey is in at 7.
- Emma Lamb 7 (10)
- Sophia Dunkley 19 (41)
Annabel Sutherland to Emma Lamb, OUT! OUTFOXED! You just can't keep Annabel Sutherland out of the game as she gets her third wicket. She bowls a well-disguised slower one, and keeps it simple - stump-to-stump. It lands and nips back into the batter. Emma Lamb is pinned in the crease and cramped for room and plays the initial line to work across, but misses. The ball jags back and smashes into the stumps behind her. Emma Lamb trudges back to the dressing room after scoring 7 (10) and England Women further slip down to 160/5.
Annabel Sutherland to Sophia Dunkley, Short of a good length, outside off, Dunkley leans back and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.
Annabel Sutherland to Sophia Dunkley, Outside off and full again, Sophia Dunkley drives it between the cover and mid off gap. Tahlia McGrath tries to stop it by diving to her left, but it gets deflected to the deep. Two taken.
Annabel Sutherland to Emma Lamb, Full and outside off, Lamb drives crisply to extra cover where Phoebe Litchfield dives to her right and makes a half stop. The ball is parried to the vacant mid off region for a single.
Annabel Sutherland to Emma Lamb, Short and skidding through, on the leg stump. Emma Lamb crouches a bit and lets it be.
Annabel Sutherland to Sophia Dunkley, Back of a length, on top of middle, Sophia Dunkley gets across and nudges it between mid-wicket and square leg for a single.
Annabel Sutherland to Sophia Dunkley, WIDE! Sprays it way down leg, on a length. Sophia tries to steer it away using her wrists but misses.
- Emma Lamb 6 (7)
- Sophia Dunkley 15 (38)
Sophie Molineux to Emma Lamb, Dishes out a full ball, on off, Emma Lamb steps down the track and taps it back to the bowler with soft hands.
Sophie Molineux to Emma Lamb, FOUR! Uses the pace of the bowler! Full and drifting down leg, Emma Lamb gets forward and picks it up. Whips it to the right of short fine leg for a boundary.
Sophie Molineux to Sophia Dunkley, Flatter, full and around off, Sophia uses her feet and clips it to deep mid-wicket for one. 150 IS UP FOR ENGLAND WOMEN!
Sophie Molineux to Emma Lamb, Sliding in, full and on the pads, tucked away to the left of short fine leg for a quick single by Lamb.
Sophie Molineux to Emma Lamb, A bit shorter and outside off, Emma hangs back and dabs it down to cover.
Sophie Molineux to Emma Lamb, Tossed up, much fuller and around off, Emma Lamb uses her feet and gets yorked herself. Pushes it off the toe end of the bat back to the bowler.
- Emma Lamb 1 (2)
- Sophia Dunkley 14 (37)
Annabel Sutherland to Emma Lamb, Aims the pads, on a fuller length, Emma clips it through square leg for a single. Lamb gets off the mark.
Annabel Sutherland to Emma Lamb, Length ball, around off, tapped off the back foot to cover.
Emma Lamb walks in next at 6.
Annabel Sutherland to Tammy Beaumont, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! The pressure was creeping in and something really had to give for England. A huge, huge wicket in the context of the game. Tammy Beaumont tries to accelerate and smash it over long on for a biggie, but certainly gets deceived by the back-of-the-hand slower delivery from Sutherland, full and around off. She goes through her shot early and mistimes it straight up, but not long enough at long on. Georgia Voll maintains her composure and catches it, but just as she does that, she loses her balance a bit. Showing great game awareness, she flicks the ball up and comes back into the field of play. Balances herself and takes it on the second attempt. Tammy Beaumont departs on 78 (105). Troubles for England Women as they are 147/4.
Annabel Sutherland to Tammy Beaumont, FOUR! Races away, but Sutherland won't mind that at all. She bowls it full and on the off stump line. Tammy Beaumont shuffles a long way across the off stump and tries to scoop it over the keeper, but only manages to get a faint edge. Beth Mooney rises with the ball behind the stumps, but takes her eyes off the ball and hence fails to gather it, and the ball races away to the fence behind her.
Annabel Sutherland to Tammy Beaumont, Desperation creeping in! Swing and a miss. Full and just outside off, nipping away. Tammy Beaumont tries the big-booming shot to go downtown, but misses.
Annabel Sutherland to Tammy Beaumont, In the air... just safe! If Tahlia McGrath cannot reach it, nobody can. Full and just outside off, Tammy Beaumont tries to loft it inside out over cover, but mistimes it off the toe end and slices it just over Tahlia McGrath at mid off for a couple of runs.
- Sophia Dunkley 14 (37)
- Tammy Beaumont 72 (101)
Sophie Molineux to Sophia Dunkley, Skids off the pitch, full and on middle, Sophia Dunkley gets on the front foot and taps it to the right of Molineux. Just 4 runs from it. 5-0-22-1 for Sophie Molineux so far.
Sophie Molineux to Tammy Beaumont, Full and on off, at 84.4 kph, Tammy Beaumont dances down to the pitch and drives it to long off for a single.
Sophie Molineux to Sophia Dunkley, Full and sliding on with the arm, Sophia Dunkley clips it off the front foot to the right of mid-wicket for a single.
Sophie Molineux to Tammy Beaumont, Drags the length back, short and on middle. Tammy Beaumont hangs back and nudges it to square leg for a single. 69 balls since the last boundary for England.
Sophie Molineux to Sophia Dunkley, Drops it full and on off, Sophia Dunkley stays leg side and works it down to long off for a single.
Sophie Molineux to Sophia Dunkley, An in-drifter on a length, Sophia Dunkley hangs back and punches it to mid-wicket.
- Sophia Dunkley 12 (33)
- Tammy Beaumont 70 (99)
Annabel Sutherland to Sophia Dunkley, Tap and run, but had to really hurry! Fractionally short in length, nipping in from off, Sophia Dunkley meets the ball close to the body and taps it in front of short extra cover and rushes for a single. The fielder dives forward and underarms the throw towards the keeper, but it has no power, which allows Tammy Beaumont to skate through to the batting end.
Annabel Sutherland to Sophia Dunkley, Attacks the stumps, full in length, Dunkley defends it to cover.
Annabel Sutherland to Sophia Dunkley, Digs in a short ball, outside off, Sophia Dunkley ducks and lets it pass. Beth Mooney with a good take in front of her face as she stands up to the stumps.
Annabel Sutherland to Tammy Beaumont, In-between length with some away shape from middle. Tammy Beaumont hangs across and nudges this through square leg for a single.
Annabel Sutherland to Tammy Beaumont, Back of a length, on off, Tammy Beaumont blocks off the inner half of the bat.
Annabel Sutherland to Tammy Beaumont, Spears it full and around off, Tammy Beaumont hangs back and dabs it to deep third for a single.
DRINKS! Since the last drinks break, things have changed quite drastically. The spinners of Australia Women have spun a web, and they are choking down the batters of England Women as both are struggling to rotate the strike. They need to be breakfree - otherwise, the dream to post a big total against mighty Aussies will fade away as just 18 overs are remaining. While the Aussies have been impeccable as always, chipping away key wickets to create pressure even after getting thrashed for the first eight overs in the Powerplay. Let's see how the next phase pans out and what target England would set up here. Annabel Sutherland returns.
- Tammy Beaumont 69 (96)
- Sophia Dunkley 11 (30)
Ashleigh Gardner to Tammy Beaumont, Lands it full and around off, Tammy Beaumont drills it off the front foot to long off for a single.
Ashleigh Gardner to Tammy Beaumont, Beaumont sweeps this flatter delivery to short fine.
Ashleigh Gardner to Sophia Dunkley, Quicker through the air, and Dunkley nudges it to the right of mid-wicket for a quick run.
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
