Mooney’s Century and King’s Half-Century Propel Australia

COLOMBO: Beth Mooney’s magnificent unbeaten century powered Australia to a commanding score against Pakistan in the ninth match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, held at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.

After choosing to bat, the Australian team concluded their innings at 221/9 in the stipulated 50 overs, largely due to a century partnership for the ninth wicket.

Australia made a steady start with openers Alyssa Healy, the captain, and Phoebe Litchfield forming a 30-run stand.

Healy was the first to be dismissed, scoring 20 runs off 23 balls, caught by spinner Sadia Iqbal on the last ball of the seventh over. In the following over, Litchfield was caught and bowled by Fatima Sana for 10, leaving Australia at 30/2.

Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney contributed 25 runs for the third wicket; however, it wasn’t enough to firm up the innings. Perry was stumped for just five by Nashra Sandhu, who secured her first wicket in the game.

Nashra made another impact in the subsequent over, dismissing Annabel Sutherland for one, reducing Australia to 59/4 in 14.3 overs.

Beth Mooney attempted to stabilise the innings, but wickets continued to fall at the opposite end. Rameen Shamim took the wicket of Ashleigh Gardner, who was dismissed for one, while Nashra Sandhu claimed her third wicket by removing Tahlia McGrath, leaving Australia struggling at 75/6 in 20.3 overs.

Rameen continued her impressive spell, securing two wickets in the following over, including Georgia Wareham, who was out for a duck, marking Australia’s seventh loss.

Mooney and Kim Garth then added 39 runs for the eighth wicket, with Mooney achieving her 20th WODI half-century.

However, the partnership was broken when Garth was stumped off Diana Baig’s delivery for 11 runs from 47 balls, leaving Australia at 115/8 in 33.5 overs.

Mooney was then accompanied by bowling all-rounder Alana King, and together they batted strongly, guiding Australia past the 200-run mark and establishing a 106-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

Beth Mooney led the scoring for Australia with an impressive 109 off 114 deliveries, including 11 boundaries.

King remained undefeated with a quick half-century, scoring 51 off 49 balls, featuring three sixes and an equal number of fours.

Sandhu stood out as the most successful bowler for Pakistan, claiming three wickets for just 37 runs in 10 overs, followed by Rameen Shamim and Fatima Sana with two wickets each, while Sadia Iqbal and Diana Baig each took one wicket.