Australia Stages Comeback as Gardner, Sutherland Seal Win Over England in Indore

When England Women's cricket team stepped onto the Indore ground on the evening of October 22, 2025, the stadium buzzed with the kind of anticipation usually reserved for a finals showdown.

It was the 23rd match of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025Indore, a day‑night fixture that would decide not just bragging rights but also the final seeding for the knockout stage.

Background to the Tournament

Since the opening day in World Cup cricket, both England and Australia have been locked in a duel for supremacy. England entered the match with two wins from three games, while Australia had slipped to third after a surprise loss to South Africa. The loss meant Australia needed a statement performance to keep a favourable path to the semifinals.

Historically, the two nations have met in four World Cup knockout games, with England winning three of them. This clash, however, was a rare group‑stage battle that carried the same weight as a knockout because a slip in net‑run rate could alter the quarter‑final draw.

England's Innings: A Strong Start that Faltered

England won the toss and elected to bat first. Opening pair AE Jones and TT Beaumont gave the team a solid platform, putting together a 50‑run partnership off 45 balls. The powerplay yielded 55 runs for just one wicket, and by the 16‑over mark England were 83/1. Beaumont, who had already hit 46, raced to a half‑century off 59 deliveries, dispatching nine fours and a six.

At 21.1 overs England crossed the 100‑run barrier. A review by the Australian bowling side at 17.5 overs saw HC Knight dismissed, a decision upheld by umpire KD Cotton. Later, a second review at 30.3 overs overturned an out for Beaumont, thanks to umpire JM Williams, keeping her at the crease. By the end of the 32nd over England were 135/3, with Beaumont on 69. The middle overs were a bit tentative; England’s run‑rate dipped as wickets fell at regular intervals. Extras added 10 runs to the total, which eventually reached 244/9 after the full 50 overs.

Australia's Chase: The 180‑Run Partnership that Turned the Tide

Chasing 245, Australia Women's cricket team began cautiously. Early wickets put them at 45/2, but what followed was a masterclass in timing and placement.

The turning point came when middle‑order duo Gardner and Sutherland settled in. Their partnership of 180 runs, built without a single dismissal, resembled a well‑orchestrated duet, each stroke complementing the other.

Gardner, calm as ever, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 104. Sutherland, on the other hand, played a more aggressive role, rattling the bowlers with an unbeaten 98. The pair rotated the strike flawlessly, turning the chase into a sprint rather than a marathon.

Alana King, who had been England’s most economical bowler earlier, tried to stem the flow, taking a couple of key wickets but ultimately could not break the momentum. The final wicket fell at 244/9, meaning Australia chased down the target with two balls to spare, finishing on 246/7.

Key Performances and Pivotal Moments

• Gardner’s century – the first unbeaten hundred for Australia in this tournament.
• Sutherland’s near‑century – just two runs shy of a perfect hundred, yet enough to seal the win.
• Alana King’s spell – 8 overs, 2 wickets for 34 runs, keeping England in the game during the early overs.
• Beaumont’s 81 – the highest score of the day, showcasing England’s top‑order firepower.

The match also featured two crucial DRS interventions. The first, at 17.5 overs, dismissed HC Knight; the second, at 30.3 overs, saved Beaumont. Both moments reminded fans that technology is now an integral part of the women's game, just as it is in the men’s.

Implications for the Semifinals and Tournament Narrative

Both sides secured their semifinal berths, but the victory gave Australia a psychological edge. The win bumped them up to second place in Group A, meaning they now face the fourth‑placed team in the knockouts, a slightly easier route compared to England’s upcoming quarter‑final against the tournament’s top‑ranked side.

For England, the loss was a reality check. Their powerplay execution was excellent, but the middle‑order stall highlighted a need for more aggressive intent. Coach Heather Knight (not marked as primary) admitted post‑match that the team must “find that spark after the break” if they are to lift the trophy.

What’s Next?

Australia now has a few days’ rest before they open the semifinal against the West Indies on October 27. England, meanwhile, will regroup for a high‑stakes quarter‑final against India on October 26, a match that could very well decide who goes to the final.

Beyond the immediate stakes, the match underscored the growing depth in women’s cricket. A packed Indore stadium, vibrant social‑media buzz, and a television audience estimated at 12 million all point to a sport on the rise.