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Ashleigh Gardner played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 104 while Annabel Sutherland remained not out on 98 as Australia eased past England with a six-wicket win at the Holkar Stadium on Wednesday. With this victory Australia climbed to the top of the points table in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Ashleigh and Annabel stitched an unbroken 180-run stand Coming together at a shaky 68/4 Ashleigh and Annabel stitched an unbroken 180-run stand helping Australia chase down the target with 57 balls left. Ashleighs innings included 16 fours and Annabel hit nine boundaries and a six. Their outstanding partnership turned the match completely in Australia’s favour and will be remembered as one of the tournament’s best. Ashleigh-Annabel duo countered with a perfect mix of power hitting and smart placement England had taken early control by picking up four quick wickets but the Ashleigh-Annabel duo countered with a perfect mix of power hitting and smart placement. Annabel who had been out of form earlier in the tournament stepped up when it mattered and even outscored Ashleigh during most of the partnership. However Ashleigh shifted gears later reaching her hundred in just 22 balls after scoring her fifty showing her incredible form in the tournament. Both Ashleigh and Annabel also contributed with the ball earlier in the match while Alana King’s economical spell of 1/20 from 10 overs helped slow down England’s innings in the middle overs. Though England started strong with the ball they lost control once the fifth-wicket pair took over and led the defending champions to victory. While both teams had already qualified for the semifinals this win sent a strong message from Australia  that they thrive under pressure and have match-winners ready to deliver. England started well in the field with Lauren Bell bowling a beautiful delivery to remove Phoebe Litchfield for 1. Georgia Voll then misjudged a sweep shot off Linsey Smith and was bowled. Soon after Ellyse Perry was caught and bowled by Linsey for 13 leaving Australia struggling at 46/3 after the powerplay their worst start in the tournament so far. Beth Mooney and Annabel tried to steady things with a 44-run partnership but Mooney was caught at mid-wicket for 20 right before the drinks break. Annabel then took charge playing some stylish shots including a straight drive for four and a big six off Linsey. She reached her half-century off 66 balls. Ashleigh also joined in hitting strong shots through the leg side and pulling Nat Sciver-Brunt for a boundary to bring up her fifty in 47 balls. The scoring pace picked up quickly with Ashleigh striking more boundaries — including three fours in one over from Alice Capsey. She reached her century with a thick edge that sped to the boundary at third man. Annabel was given a life on 97 when Heather Knight dropped a catch at extra cover. She ended on 98 not out while Ashleigh finished the game in style with a lofted drive for four keeping Australia unbeaten in the tournament. Brief scores: England - 244/9 in 50 overs (Tammy Beaumont 78 Alice Capsey 38; Annabel Sutherland 3/60 Ashleigh Gardner 2/39) Australia - 248/4 in 40.3 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 104* Annabel Sutherland 98*; Linsey Smith 2/43 Lauren Bell 1/48) Result - Australia won by 6 wickets. With IANS inputs