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It takes a batting display of some calibre to blunt an otherwise spirited Bangladesh bowling attack, but that’s what Australia did and with some comfort in its Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 clash at ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vizag on Thursday.
ALSO READ | Australia seals semifinal sport with 10-wicket demolition job against Bangladesh
Here are the major talking points from the England vs Pakistan Women’s World Cup clash:
Australia uncharacteristically poor in the field
SIx dropped catches. Even an off day for the Australians usually doesn’t look like this. With slip ups a aplenty in the field, the defending champion allowed at least 30 runs more than it should have to Bangladesh. Alyssa Healy had a particularly tough time behind the stumps.
“I think they were all probably tough catches. I don’t think there was an easy catch. And no doubt we’ll definitely review that. We pride ourselves on our fielding and something that we want to be putting on display. So I think just with those high balls and us probably being a bit aggressive in the field, we wanted to get the players to hit over us. So to have an attacking option and players diving for the ball, we love to see that. I think that creates great energy amongst the group and a positive mindset as well. So no doubt we’d love every catch to stick, but unfortunately the nature of cricket, that doesn’t happen too often,” Alana King said, in hindsight.
Healy, while a bit sloppy with the gloves, also had to deal with Darcie Brown’s uncontrolled pace and prodigious turn King herself was drawing from the surface. The 4.5 degrees she managed is the highest in this tournament so far and, more impressively, extracted from what looked like a flat wicket.
ALSO READ | Alana King surprised by turn in Vizag in big win against Bangladesh
Healy is back in business
The Australian captain’s batting form wasn’t anything to write home about running up to the tournament. The setup had given her the freedom to go big right at the start and that kind of aggression understandably attracts dimissals. She vehemently maintained that there wouldn’t be a change in that approach, but the India game saw a gear shift in favour of caution. Healy stuck it out and scored a scintillating century to set up a cherished win for the defending champion. Against Bangladesh, she was back to her original attack mode. After a maiden over to begin the chase, Healy and Litchfield combined well to pierce gaps and take the attack to the Bangladesh bowlers. For the first time in this tournament, Nigar Sultana’s side looked under the pump in the field. Bangladesh, too, offered lifelines to both batters, but the brief was clear. The commanding 10-wicket win and Healy’s return to form bodes well for the Aussies ahead of a big clash against England.
Big misses for Bangladesh
Bangladesh was without the services of Nahida Akter (injured) and Marufa Akter (rested) for this game. It was puzzling to see pace sensation miss out on the Australia game given it was the perfect chance to test her skills against higher opponents. Without Nahida, in particular, the Bangladesh attack quite toothless throughout the chase. Marufa, whose campaign began with much promise, has waned in endurance during a game. Her effectiveness blunts when introduced later, which is an issue for Bangladesh to contend with in the long term.
Plenty to love about Sobhana, Rubya
The bright spots in an otherwise lacklustre Bangladesh effort were Rubya Haider Jhelik and Sobhana Mostary. Jhelik’s early risk-taking approach capitalised on the fielding gaffes by the Australia to give Bangaldesh its best PowerPlay score of the tournament (37/1). She lived a life of risk until her dismissal, just short of a half century. Sobhana Mostary, who scored her career’s first fifty in the game against England, came good against Australia with a defiant unbeaten 66. It proved pivotal in giving Bangladesh a score to work with, although the Healy-Litchfield pairing eventually made short work of it.
Published on Oct 17, 2025
