The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 comes with another edition when Australia is the team to beat. No team has written the history of this championship quite like the Southern Stars. The seven titles they secured are from 1978, 1982, 1988, 1997, 2005, 2013, and 2022, an undefeated record till now. Defending their championship, expectation and inevitability surround them for carrying an eighth title in tandem with the record of dominance that has created three to four generations of women’s cricket.
In 2025, it was form that pushed Australia above the rest into the top favourite position. Having played six ODIs in the year so far, they won five, the only slip being a defeat by way of a heavy margin against India at New Chandigarh. Beth Mooney has scored 323 runs in six innings and has been the consistent headline performer alongside Ellyse Perry’s 218 and Ashleigh Gardner’s 202. On the bowling front, the trio has been led by King who has taken 12 wickets, while Garth and Schutt have taken nine each.
The momentum began in January with a 3-0 whitewash against England at home. At the opening match in Sydney, Gardner exploded all-round: 42* and 3/19 to expertly manage a chase of 205.
Resilience was put under test in the second contest as Perry’s 60 put them up to 180 before King (4/25) and Garth (3/37) bundled England out for 159. The final ODI in Melbourne went on to really cement that statement: Gardner (102 from 102) and King (5/46) propelled a massive 86-run win.
Their stiffest test ran through India this past September. At the New Chandigarh first ODI, Litchfield was the anchor for a chase of 282, 88 runs off 80 balls, set up by 77* by Mooney and 54* by Annabel Sutherland. Yet the second ODI took a wild turn — Australia dismissed for 190, lost by 102 runs, their heaviest defeat in ODI history. They came back like champions in the decider at New Delhi with 412 (equaling their joint-highest total) featuring Mooney’s blazing 138 off 75 balls and Voll’s 81. India fought gallantly but fell short by 43 runs, with Garth (3/69) being the late-bloomer.
Since winning the World Cup in 2022, Australia has consistently been the main benchmark, blending experience with youthful vigour. Perry, Mooney, and Gardner keep things steady and provide the brute force, while King and Schutt head a bowling troika that hardly ever lets the opponents settle.
With Litchfield and Voll added to the side, one sinks his teeth into the enormity of talent bearing down on these two — a fine balance of tradition and rejuvenation, ensuring that they remain a step ahead.
Australia will continue sharpening their preparations with a warm-up match against England on the 27th of September before beginning their title defence.
Australia’s Women Schedule – Women’s World Cup 2025
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2025 | New Zealand | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore | 3:00 PM |
| 4 October 2025 | Sri Lanka | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 3:00 PM |
| 8 October 2025 | Pakistan | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 3:00 PM |
| 12 October 2025 | India | ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 3:00 PM |
| 16 October 2025 | Bangladesh | ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 3:00 PM |
| 22 October 2025 | England | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore | 3:00 PM |
| 25 October 2025 | South Africa | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore | 3:00 PM |
Australia’s Women Squad – Women’s World Cup 2025
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Alyssa Healy (C) | Captain, Wicketkeeper |
| Tahlia McGrath (VC) | Vice-Captain, All-rounder |
| Darcie Brown | Bowler |
| Ashleigh Gardner | All-rounder |
| Kim Garth | All-rounder |
| Heather Graham | All-rounder |
| Alana King | Bowler |
| Phoebe Litchfield | Batter |
| Sophie Molineux | All-rounder |
| Beth Mooney | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Ellyse Perry | All-rounder |
| Megan Schutt | Bowler |
| Annabel Sutherland | All-rounder |
| Georgia Voll | Batter |
| Georgia Wareham | Bowler |




