Australia Clinches Semi-Final Berth in Dominant 10-Wicket Victory
Australia booked their place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with a comprehensive 10-wicket win over Bangladesh on Thursday. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Bangladesh posted 198/9, setting Australia a chase that the defending champions completed with ease in under 25 overs.
Front-Running Australia Impresses with a Masterclass in Association
The opening pair of Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield laid down a statement of intent, adding a rapid 100-run partnership that set the tone for the day. Healy, enduringly prolific, smashed 113 off 77 balls, her second century of the tournament, while Litchfield contributed 84, striking 12 fours and a six to anchor the chase. The pair’s strokeplay reflected the confidence Australia carried into the match, making the target look almost trivial as they chased with the minimum of fuss.
Bangladesh’s Brave Effort and the Spin Challenge
In the opening innings, Sobhana Mostary delivered a valiant 66 not out off 80 balls, guiding Bangladesh to 198/9 and pushing Australia closer to a real test than expected. Her dogged resistance, supported by Rubya Haider’s 44, kept the scoreboard ticking and ensured the total wasn’t a mere formality for the chasing side. Yet Australia’s bowlers had done enough to limit the damage and kept them under pressure for most of the innings.
Australian Bowling Courage to Keep Bangladesh in Check
Australia’s bowlers applied steady pressure as Bangladesh looked to push beyond the 200-mark. Alana King claimed 2/18 and Georgia Wareham 2/22, supporting Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland, who also took two wickets each. Megan Schutt added a wicket as Australia remained relentless, ensuring Mostary’s heroics didn’t translate into a higher total. The early breakthrough came when Schutt dismissed Farzana Haque, ending Bangladesh’s initial momentum and restoring the balance of power to the defending champions.
Key Moments That Shaped the Result
Gardner’s quick-fire dismissals—including Haider and Akter—tightened the screws for Bangladesh, while Sultana Joty’s stumping of Nigar Sultana Joty off King’s delivery kept the chase in check. Beth Mooney’s sharp fielding at point capped off a disciplined day in the field. Even as Mostary pushed toward a fifty and Bangladesh passed the 160s, Australia’s bowlers never let the chase get away and finished with a complete performance that earned them nine points from five games, top of the table.
Implications and the Road Ahead
With nine points from five matches, Australia solidified their position at the summit of the World Cup standings, while Bangladesh remained sixth with two points. This result underlined Australia’s status as a favorites’ favorite, with a balanced combination of aggressive top-order batting and disciplined bowling. For Bangladesh, the performance was a reminder of the gaps to be bridged to contend with the world’s best when they push deeper into the tournament.
Conclusion: A Statement-Winning Victory
The 10-wicket victory not only sealed a semi-final berth for Australia but also highlighted the depth and quality of their lineup. Healy’s explosive century, Litchfield’s solid support, and the bowlers’ collective restraint reflected a team firing on all cylinders as they chase glory in the 2025 edition of the Women’s World Cup.
