In what could easily go down as one of the most gripping encounters of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Australia defeated England by 27 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai earlier today, reaffirming their supremacy in women’s cricket. The match had everything, high-quality bowling, tactical brilliance, and a late-order fightback that kept fans on the edge till the final over.
A Clash of Titans – Context Before the Match
Both England and Australia entered this fixture as tournament heavyweights.
- Australia, unbeaten so far, were looking to extend their streak and lock in the top spot in the group.
- England, reeling from an earlier loss to South Africa, needed a win to solidify their semi-final chances.
The historical rivalry added spice: England last beat Australia in an ICC event back in 2017, while Australia had since won six consecutive World Cup encounters.
Match Summary — England vs Australia Women
| Category | Australia Women | England Women |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 264/8 (50 overs) | 237 all out (48.3 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Beth Mooney – 87 (101 balls) | Nat Sciver-Brunt – 72 (84 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Ashleigh Gardner – 4/41 (10 overs) | Sophie Ecclestone – 3/52 (10 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Beth Mooney (AUS) | — |
| Result | Australia won by 27 runs | — |
| Venue | DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai | |
| Toss | Australia won and elected to bat | |
| Date | October 22, 2025 |
Australia’s Innings – Anchored by Beth Mooney’s Classic Knock
Australia’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression.
Openers Alyssa Healy (32) and Phoebe Litchfield (29) provided a 61-run start before Beth Mooney took charge.
Mooney’s 87 off 101 balls blended precision with patience — steering Australia through middle overs against tight bowling from Ecclestone and Bell. Her partnerships with McGrath (41) and Gardner (27) built the base for a late surge.
Despite a brief stumble — from 215/4 to 229/7 — Australia managed 264, courtesy of tail-end cameos by Wareham (15 off 10) and Kim Garth (13*).
Stat Highlight: Australia’s run-rate in the final 10 overs was 6.3 — a critical difference that gave them momentum.
England’s Chase – Promise, Collapse, and Missed Chances
England started brightly. Tammy Beaumont (44) and Danni Wyatt (31) put on 69 for the first wicket, keeping pace with the required rate.
However, Ashleigh Gardner’s introduction in the 17th over changed the game. Her flight, dip, and variation troubled England’s middle order — dismissing Wyatt, Jones, and Knight within 25 balls.
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s valiant 72 off 84 gave England hope, especially as she stitched useful partnerships with Amy Jones (28) and Freya Kemp (19). But the lack of lower-order resistance doomed the chase.
England were eventually bowled out for 237, falling 27 runs short.
“We played good cricket for 80 overs, but the two 10-over phases after drinks in both innings hurt us,” said Heather Knight post-match.
Related: Can the Indian Women’s Cricket Team Make the Semi-Finals? A Deep Dive into Their Road Ahead
Tactical Breakdown — How Australia Out-Smarted England
Gardner’s Middle-Overs Spell
Her 4/41 dismantled England’s rhythm. Australia’s field settings — with tight off-side rings — forced batters into aerial strokes.
Mooney’s Game Management
Unlike the aggressive Healy or Lanning, Mooney paced her innings smartly. She scored 46 of her runs in singles, frustrating England’s bowlers who looked for breakthroughs with short balls.
Fielding Precision
Australia saved at least 12 runs in the inner circle — a margin that eventually equalled the victory difference.
England’s Mismanagement of Strike Rotation
Between overs 25–35, England managed only 18 singles, creating scoreboard pressure that led to risky strokes.
Impact on the Points Table
| Team | Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 | +1.256 |
| South Africa | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | +0.842 |
| England | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | +0.438 |
| India | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | +0.526 |
| New Zealand | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -0.245 |
Australia now sit comfortably atop the table, having secured their semi-final berth. England remain in contention but will need to win their final fixture against Bangladesh and rely on India’s result against New Zealand.
Expert Reactions
“Australia’s discipline is what sets them apart — they don’t panic even when 2–3 wickets fall. Their planning under Lanning is textbook modern cricket,”
– Lisa Sthalekar, Former Australian Captain, ESPN Star Sports.
“England have improved but need to find an X-factor bowler who can strike in powerplays. Without early breakthroughs, they always chase momentum,”
– Charlotte Edwards, Sky Sports Cricket.
Player Ratings (Out of 10)
| Player | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Beth Mooney (AUS) | 9.5 | Anchored innings with clinical precision. |
| Ashleigh Gardner (AUS) | 9 | Match-winning spell turned the tide. |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG) | 8 | Lone warrior; classy under pressure. |
| Heather Knight (ENG) | 6.5 | Couldn’t convert start; captaincy cautious. |
| Sophie Ecclestone (ENG) | 7.5 | Bowled brilliantly in middle overs. |
| Alyssa Healy (AUS) | 6 | Good start but missed big score. |
Statistical Highlights
- Highest partnership: 78 – Mooney & McGrath.
- Most boundaries: 9 by Beth Mooney.
- Fastest 50: Nat Sciver-Brunt (51 balls).
- Dot balls bowled: Megan Schutt – 32.
- Total sixes: Australia 4, England 3.
What This Means Going Forward
For Australia:
- Semi-final berth confirmed.
- Likely to finish 1st and play India or England again.
- Team’s depth continues to shine — all 11 players contributing.
For England:
- Must beat Bangladesh convincingly to ensure qualification.
- NRR advantage still healthy but pressure mounting.
- Team morale must recover quickly after back-to-back tight finishes.
Fan & Social Media Buzz
Twitter and Instagram buzzed immediately post-match with praise for Mooney and Gardner.
Hashtags #AUSvENG, #CWC2025, and #BethMooney trended globally.
Indian fans, too, followed the result closely since it impacts India’s own semi-final path.
Conclusion
Australia once again reminded the cricketing world why they remain the benchmark in women’s cricket – clinical, balanced, and composed.
England showed resilience, but the lack of finishing punch cost them dearly.
As the World Cup 2025 nears its knockout phase, one thing is clear: Australia’s consistency makes them the favourites — but on a given day, this format still leaves room for a surprise
