ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Sutherland-Gardner record century partnership crushes England

Thursday, 23 October 2025 03:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner ripped the contest from England’s grasp with a 180*-run stand

By Sa'adi Thawfeeq

Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner produced one of the very best partnerships in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup history to steer Australia to a convincing six-wicket win over traditional rivals England in their match played at Indore yesterday.

Australia, chasing 245, looked in all sorts of trouble at 68-4 with Beth Mooney gone for 20. England had their tails up and were the favourites. But it all changed with the Gardner-Sutherland unbroken partnership of 180* off 148 balls, a record for Australia for the fifth wicket in WODIs. It was counter-attacking batting at its finest.

Sutherland didn’t have many runs before yesterday but, come the big night, she came to the party with 98* off 112 balls (9 fours, 1 six) to go with her three wickets to walk away with the Player of the Match award. Sutherland outscored Gardner and looked set for her 100 till a late charge from her partner saw her overtake Sutherland and pip her to her century – (104*) which came off 73 balls courtesy 16 fours.

Australia regained top spot with this win, carrying their points tally to 11, with South Africa second on 10 and England third on 9.

England recovered from 166-6 to post a total of 244-9 to give their bowlers something to bowl at after being invited to bat first by Australia. That was possible due to the stand between Alice Capsey (38) and Charlie Dean (26). They injected some late momentum with plenty of boundaries in their partnership of 61 of 52 balls.

Earlier, the openers put on a run-a-ball 55, but then England lost their way. The middle-order failed to capitalise even though Tammy Beaumont batted well to make 78 off 105 balls (10 fours, 1 six).


Tammy Beaumont top-scored for England with 78	Annabel Sutherland cleaned up Amy Jones

Sophia Dunkley struggled in the middle (22 off 48) and that put pressure on the others. Thanks to Dean and Capsey, England finished on a reasonable score. Alana King was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as she bowled her 10 overs for just 20 and took the big wicket of Nat Sciver-Brunt for 7. The others chipped in too even though Annabel Sutherland (3/60) was taken for boundaries in her last spell.

Australia went into this match without their Captain Alyssa Healy, who was recovering from a calf strain.

Scores:

England Women 244-9 (50) (Tammy Beaumont 78, Heather Knight 20, Sophia Dunkley 22, Alice Capsey 38, Charlie Dean 26, Annabel Sutherland 3/60, Sophie Molineux 2/52, Ashleigh Gardner 2/39)

Australia Women 248-4 (40.3) (Beth Mooney 20, Annabel Sutherland 98*, Ashleigh Gardner 104*, Linsey Smith 2/43)