Australia v the world

PL reports on the Woman's World Cup 2025 team that has thus far answered every challenge

There have been times during this World Cup and its approach that it has become apparent that the rest of the cricket-playing planet is catching up to the Australian women. Not least, when India advanced to 0-155 after being sent in at Visakhapatnam on the weekend, or when reduced to 7-76 by Pakistan in Colombo.

The problem is that evidence from the first rounds of the tournament suggests the others may be catching up to where the Australians were. This team, so ably led by Alyssa Healy, appears to have broken camp and moved to higher ground.

Clicked their heels and they’re gone.

Australia had no right to chase down India’s 330 over the weekend, but that’s what they did, clearing the bar with relative ease, and setting a new record for women’s ODI cricket in the process.

Beth Mooney, who struggles so much in hot conditions that she has an ice bath before taking the field, was on 32 when the No.9, Kim Garth, joined her in the hole others had dug for them against Pakistan.

Mooney is a cricketer of extraordinary conviction. Hates the heat, but loves the challenge.