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Beth Mooney Century Powers Australia Past Rival Team In World Cup
evrimagaci | October 10, 2025 2:17 PM CST

Australia Women continued their impressive form in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with a commanding 107-run victory over their rivals at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 8, 2025. This victory not only extended their unbeaten streak to 17 matches against this opponent in ODIs but also propelled them to the top of the tournament points table, reinforcing their status as one of the most dominant teams in women’s cricket.

Australia entered this match after a win against New Zealand and a rain-affected abandonment against Sri Lanka. Their opponents, on the other hand, were hoping to bounce back from a string of defeats and improve their position in the table. The history of encounters between the two teams was heavily skewed in Australia's favour, as they had won every previous ODI encounter, placing significant pressure on their rivals to break the losing streak.

Winning the toss, the opposition captain chose to bowl first, and their spinners, particularly Nashra Sandhu, initially gave Australia a tough time. At 76 for 7 in the 22nd over, Australia found themselves in a precarious position, with key batters like Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry already dismissed. A total below 150 seemed imminent, and it appeared as though this match could mark a breakthrough for their rivals.

However, Australia’s Beth Mooney had other plans. The experienced batter played a masterful knock, weathering the storm with calm composure. Partnered with tailender Alana King, she put together a record-breaking ninth-wicket stand, adding 106 crucial runs that revived the Australian innings. Mooney’s 109 from 114 balls marked her fifth ODI century, and it was her first-ever World Cup century. King, for her part, supported Mooney brilliantly, finishing unbeaten on 51 off 49 balls.

Reflecting on her performance, Mooney said, “I would rate this win very high. The bowlers of the opposition bowled really well, but I am really grateful for Alana King’s support during my innings.” Mooney’s partnership with King lifted Australia to a total of 221 for 9, a score that seemed improbable earlier in the game.

The chase for 222 was always going to be a tough task for the opposition, and Australia’s bowlers quickly asserted dominance. Kim Garth, Megan Schutt, and Annabel Sutherland exploited the conditions with precision. Garth, in particular, was outstanding, picking up 3 wickets for just 14 runs. Sutherland and Schutt each added two more wickets, leaving the opposition’s batters with little room to recover. Only Sidra Amin, who made a brief stand with 35 runs, offered any resistance before being dismissed in the 22nd over.

With their middle-order crumbling under relentless pressure, the opposition was reduced to 114 all out in just 36.3 overs, falling well short of the target.

The rival captain, Fatima Sana, acknowledged her team's inability to capitalise on their early breakthroughs: “We were good for the first 20 overs but failed to get the wicket of Beth Mooney later on. We needed to keep the same energy, but we failed in that. Our bowlers were good, but we need to work on our batting and build long partnerships.”

Australia’s captain, Alyssa Healy, praised her team’s resilience but also expressed concerns about their lower-order partnerships. “I’m happy with the two points, but I’m a bit concerned that we are creating partnerships lower down the order,” she remarked. Healy also emphasised the need for her batters to adapt to spin-friendly conditions, a challenge many have noted after the match.

The victory was more than just a two-point boost; it sent a psychological message to their rivals, showcasing Australia’s depth and adaptability. For their opponents, this loss deepened their struggles, and the team now faces a challenging task to address their weaknesses and bounce back.

Australia’s remarkable fightback, led by Mooney, sets them up for the next phase of the tournament, where they aim to maintain their momentum and strengthen their claim for another World Cup title. Their rivals, meanwhile, must regroup and find solutions to their batting issues as they move forward in the competition.

The match was broadcast live globally, with fans in India tuning in via Star Sports and JioHotStar, while viewers in the United States and Canada watched on Willow TV and ESPN. Fans in the UK followed the action on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. The Women’s World Cup continues to draw global attention, with thrilling contests and impressive performances that captivate fans across the world.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes now turn to the next fixtures, with India Women set to face South Africa Women on October 9, 2025. For Australia, the challenge is to keep their momentum going and address the concerns raised by their captain. For their opponents, the task will be to find their rhythm and make necessary adjustments before their campaign slips further away.

With the unpredictability of World Cup cricket, fans can expect many more exciting contests ahead.


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