Australia continued their winning run at the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, recovering from a top-order wobble to defeat England by six wickets in Indore on Wednesday. An unbroken 180-run partnership between Ashleigh Gardner, 104* and Annabel Sutherland, 98* powered the defending champions past England's 244-9, securing the win with 57 balls to spare and handing England their first loss of the tournament.
Chasing 245, Australia found themselves in early trouble at 24-3 and later 68-4. Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith made early inroads for England. However, Gardner and Sutherland came together to produce a match-winning stand. Gardner scored her second century of the tournament, reaching the milestone in just 69 balls, while Sutherland handled the chase brilliantly, narrowly missing out on her own ton.
Earlier, England chose to bat and started well, with openers Tammy Beaumont, 78, and Amy Jones adding 55 runs. Beaumont found form, top-scoring for her side. However, Australia pulled things back in the middle overs, thanks to leg-spinner Alana King, who delivered an exceptionally economical spell of 1 for 20 from her 10 overs, stifling England's momentum. Sutherland was also effective with the ball, taking three wickets. Contributions from Alice Capsey, 38 and Charlie Dean, 26 helped England reach 244-9.
Australia's stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath praised the match-winners: “Spinners did a fantastic job with the ball. Little bit of a shaky start with the bat, but then Bellsy (Sutherland) and Ash… just world class, so good to watch them be clinical. Feel for Bellsy a bit, not getting a 100. She thoroughly deserved it. She is such a gun... whenever we’re in trouble, you sort of just turn to her.” England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt conceded, "We didn't have enough runs. Alana King bowled very well in the middle overs and really restricted us."
Despite both teams having already qualified for the semifinals, the result postures Australia's status as favorites, with their incredible batting depth even without injured captain Alyssa Healy. Sutherland, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, was named Player of the Match for her all-round contribution.