Indore, Oct 21 (UNI) Alyssa Healy’s blistering form will be in sharp focus when unbeaten Australia Women face England Women in a top-of-the-table clash of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at the Holkar Stadium here tomorrow. The contest will decide which team finishes at the top of the group before the semifinals.
Healy has been in sensational touch, smashing back-to-back centuries — including an unbeaten 113 off just 77 balls in Australia’s 10-wicket demolition of Bangladesh. Her dominance at the top has set the tone for the defending champions, who have looked almost invincible in the tournament so far.
Australia, led by Healy, boast tremendous depth with Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, and Annabel Sutherland anchoring the middle order. Their allround balance and consistency have made them the favourites.
England, on the other hand, have won matches, but are less convincing. They narrowly survived defeats against India and Pakistan, exposing cracks in their batting lineup. Heather Knight’s match-winning century against India at this same venue kept England’s winning run alive, but the top order’s inconsistency remains a concern.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will rely heavily on her spinners — Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, and Linsey Smith — to challenge Australia’s strong batting lineup. The pace attack, led by Sciver-Brunt and Lauren Bell, will need to strike early to contain the Aussies.
The Holkar Stadium promises another high-scoring game, with an average first-innings score of 282 runs. Teams batting first have won two of the last three matches here, and captains may prefer to set a total under sunny skies with temperatures touching 31°C.
The Indore clash is expected to be a thrilling dress rehearsal for the knockouts. But given their batting depth and current momentum, Australia appear better poised to maintain their flawless record.
Probable Playing XIs:
Australia Women: Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
England Women: Amy Jones (wk), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell.
