INDORE: Australia Women sealed a comfortable 6-wicket win over England Women in their ICC Women’s World Cup encounter at Indore’s Holkar Stadium. Chasing down a target of 245 set by England, Australia finished with 248/4 in 40.3 overs, securing the win with 57 balls to spare.
Annabel Sutherland played a pivotal role in both the batting and bowling departments, scoring an unbeaten 98 off 112 balls and taking 3 wickets for 60 runs. Her all-round performance was the cornerstone of Australia’s dominant display.
England’s Struggle:
England Women posted a total of 244, with Tammy Beaumont leading the charge, contributing 78 runs off 105 balls. However, the rest of the batting lineup faltered under pressure. Key dismissals came from Annabel Sutherland (3/60) and Sophie Molineux (2/52), who restricted England’s middle order. England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt (7), Heather Knight (20), and Sophia Dunkley (22) were unable to build substantial partnerships, leaving the side with a challenging total.
Australia’s Chase:
Australia’s chase started on a shaky note, losing Phoebe Litchfield early for just 1 run. Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry also failed to get going, with Australia at a precarious 24/3 in the 5th over and 68/4 in the 16th over. But then, Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner turned the tide with a stunning 180-run partnership. Sutherland’s composed knock of 98 and Gardner’s explosive 104* from just 73 balls guided Australia to victory, with both players showing remarkable resilience under pressure.
England’s Bowling:
Lauren Bell (1/48) and Linsey Smith (2/43) were the standout bowlers for England but were unable to stem the flow of runs during Australia’s chase.
For Australia, Sutherland was the standout with the ball, supported by Alana King and Ashleigh Gardner, who ensured England could not capitalize on the starts provided by Beaumont and others.
Australia’s win in this high-stakes match boosts their campaign in the tournament, showcasing their depth and resilience. With Annabel Sutherland’s all-round brilliance, they maintained their position as one of the top contenders for the World Cup title.
