AI Simulation, AUS W vs BAN W | Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux star as Australia thrash Bangladesh by seven wickets

‌Pitch & Weather

A dry, brown surface offered grip for spinners early on before the wicket eased out for batters to play their shots. The chase became a cakewalk for the Aussies under lights with dew also setting in. 

It was a hot afternoon with temperatures around 33°C, before a calm evening breeze cooled things down. 

Toss & Conditions

Bangladesh Women won the toss and elected to bat first.

Lineups

Australia Women: Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt.

Bangladesh Women: Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (c & wk), Shorna Akter, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter.

Match Report

Australia Women continued their dominant run in the ICC ODI World Cup with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh Women at the ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam. Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux shone with the ball as Bangladesh’s modest total never truly threatened the reigning champions.

Opting to bat first on a dry Vizag surface, Bangladesh started cautiously against Schutt and Garth, but lacked the fluency to counter Australia’s relentless accuracy. Fargana Hoque and Sharmin Akhter built a steady 42-run partnership before Sutherland’s double-strike in the 17th over broke the momentum. Shorna Akter (36 off 40) displayed courage and crisp strokeplay, briefly lifting Bangladesh to 125/4, but once Molineux and Alana King found rhythm in the middle overs, the innings unravelled. The last six wickets fell for 56 runs as Bangladesh folded for 181 in 47.4 overs, a total that looked below par on a relatively true surface. Medium pacer Sutherland ended with impressive figures of 4/27 in 9.2 overs while left-arm spinner Molineux had 3/31 in her 10 overs.

Alyssa Healy’s aggressive intent immediately set the tone for the chase as the wicketkeeper-batter continued from where she left off against India. Driving and pulling with authority, she punished anything that was loose and reached her fifty in just 44 balls. Phoebe Litchfield (38) provided fluent support as the opening pair added 92 runs to put the Aussies in the driver’s seat. Nahida Akter (2/36) briefly checked the flow with two wickets in successive overs, including Healy’s, who hit 10 fours and two sixes in her 58-ball 67. However, Ellyse Perry’s measured and unbeaten half-century ensured Australia cruised home without panic. Her knock of 54, including seven fours, came in 63 balls, and took the defending champions to 182/3 with 97 balls to spare.

Bangladesh’s spinners toiled hard but lacked penetration against the Australian top order. With this win, Australia solidified their position at the top of the points table, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament.

Player of the Match

Australia’s Annabel Sutherland was named Player of the Match for her incisive spell of 4/27 that broke the back of the Bangladesh batting line up and restricted them to a modest total.

Scorecard