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England witnessed the full might of Australia's bowling and batting depth in their Women's World Cup match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Despite being on top at the start of both innings, England's momentum was stunted by the record seven-time world champions, who registered an impressive six-wicket win and seem invincible in the ongoing tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
Australia, who have already qualified for the semifinal, jumped to the top spot of the points table with their fifth win of the campaign in six games. Their match against Sri Lanka has been abandoned without a ball being bowled because of heavy rain.
Chasing 245 to win, Australia were reeling at 24 for 3 in 5.1 overs, having lost Phoebe Litchfield in the first over, Georgia Voll in the fourth over and Ellyse Perry in the sixth over. Annabel Sutherland and Beth Mooney joined hands to steady the ship with a 44-run stand, but the former's wicket in the 16th over firmed England's grip in the match.
With their team struggling at 68 for 4, Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner pulled off a remarkable rescue act. The duo took the game by the scruff of its neck and stitched a sensational unbeaten 180-run stand off 148 balls for the fifth wicket to take their team home. Gardner, who came to the crease after Sutherland, remained unbeaten on 104 off 73 balls after smashing her second century of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Sutherland, who is the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, remained not out on 98 as Australia romped home to win with almost 10 overs to spare.
Both all-rounders had earlier combined to take five England wickets, with Sutherland picking up three and Gardner bagging two. For his all-round performance, Sutherland was named Player of the Match.
Earlier, opener Tammy Beaumont top-scored with 78 before Australian bowlers applied a good old middle-order squeeze to fight back and restrict England to 244 for nine.
Sent in to bat, Beaumont's 105-ball knock was the only notable contribution for England, who failed to capitalise on a good start after reaching 90 for 1 in the 18th over. Their batters were guilty of failing to convert their starts.
Alice Capsey's 38 off 32 balls in the lower middle order was the only other significant contribution for England.
Like Australia, England have already qualified for the semifinals, but a first loss of the campaign comes as a reality check for the four-time champions.
