ICC Women’s World Cup
New Delhi, Oct 28: As the Women’s World Cup enters its knockout phase, one question echoes through every cricketing conversation — can anyone stop Australia?
The defending champions have bulldozed their way into the semi-finals unbeaten, rounding off the group stage with a commanding win over South Africa, skittling them out for just 97.
Even when they faltered, like their collapse to 76-7 against Pakistan, they found a way back — Beth Mooney’s century rescuing them to a respectable 221-9. That resilience, that depth, is what has made Australia near invincible.
It’s not just their batting. Their side is packed with all-rounders — eight bowling options featured in the XI that defeated England in Indore.
Even when reduced to 68-4, captain Alyssa Healy’s faith never wavered. “You’ve got to back your depth,” Healy told BBC’s No Balls podcast. “They keep stepping up and getting the job done no matter the situation.”
That belief is built on staggering numbers. Between the 2022 World Cup and this edition, Australia have won 26 of 31 ODIs, losing only four. They haven’t lost a World Cup game since the 2017 semifinal against India — a defeat that sparked this golden era.
Interestingly, those rare losses have come against their current rivals — England, India, and South Africa — the three other semifinalists. Yet, the gulf remains.
Their unmatched batting depth is the cornerstone of their success.
Tahlia McGrath and Georgia Wareham batting at seven and eight is a luxury few teams can imagine. That depth gives them freedom — allowing openers to attack from ball one.
Their powerplay run-rate (6.26) is the highest in the tournament, and their strike-rates of 107.2 against pace and 92.3 against spin show no sign of weakness.
Healy and Ashleigh Gardner have notched up centuries, while Mooney and Annabel Sutherland have added to the list. Sutherland’s unbeaten 98 against England re-established her as one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket.
Add to that Gardner’s off-spin and the fact that Ellyse Perry and McGrath often don’t need to bowl — and you see the frightening balance of this Australian unit.
Still, there are cracks — faint, but visible. Their seamers have struggled in the powerplay on flatter surfaces.
The trio of Kim Garth, Darcie Brown, and Megan Schutt have been less economical than South Africa and England in the first 10 overs.
Yet, Alana King’s spin resurgence (including a 7/18 against South Africa) has plugged most gaps.
If there’s a blueprint to beat them, it might lie in bowling first.
Australia’s rare stumbles — against Pakistan and New Zealand — came while setting targets. Their death-over batting, largely untested, strikes at 7.55 runs per over, trailing both South Africa and India.
Among challengers, India appear best placed. They’re the only side to have beaten Australia recently, winning one ODI in the pre-World Cup series. In their group clash, India piled up 330 — a total that still proved 20 runs short. The Smriti Mandhana–Pratika Rawal pairing has been prolific, though Rawal’s injury is a major setback. India’s batting depth rivals Australia’s, but their bowling balance remains a concern.
England, meanwhile, boast superior powerplay and death-over bowling, with spinners taking 37 wickets — second only to Australia.
However, their batting has lagged, particularly in the middle overs, scoring at just 4.55 runs per over. South Africa, for their part, have the tournament’s most economical powerplay attack and the best finishing record in the death overs — a potential threat if they can contain Australia early.
For now, the World Cup’s defining question remains unanswered: Who, if anyone, can stop the Australian juggernaut? (Agencies)
