Beth Mooney single-handedly rescued Australia from a dire 76 for 7, forging a crucial 106-run partnership with Alana King for the ninth wicket in their Women`s World Cup clash against Pakistan.
Beth Mooney`s hundred was a match-saving effort. • ICC/Getty Images
A Gritty Recovery Against Pakistan`s Spin Onslaught
In a pivotal Women`s World Cup match held in Colombo, the Australian team found itself on the brink of collapse, reeling at a precarious 76 for 7. However, a masterful century from Beth Mooney and a maiden half-century from Alana King dramatically shifted their fortunes, propelling the team to a competitive total of 221 for 9. Mooney`s heroics not only salvaged Australia from a situation potentially worse than their 128 for 5 against New Zealand but, in conjunction with the lower order—most notably her crucial 106-run partnership with King—successfully resisted Pakistan`s dominant spin attack, which had controlled the first 30 overs.
Fatima Sana`s decision to bowl first in the hot and humid conditions initially raised eyebrows, but her confidence in the effectiveness of spin was swiftly validated. Nashra Sandhu, Rameen Shamim, and Sadia Iqbal collectively claimed 6 for 98 in their 30 overs, exerting immense pressure on Australia but ultimately failing to close out the innings completely. The partnership between Mooney and King became a record, standing as the highest for the ninth-wicket or lower in women`s One Day Internationals (ODIs), with King`s unbeaten 51 being the highest score ever recorded by a No. 10 batter.
Mooney`s Masterclass and Strategic Play
Mooney`s standout quality throughout her innings was her exceptional ability to maneuver around the crease and play the ball late, maintaining her composure against Pakistan`s disciplined and skilled bowling. Her century included 11 fours, alongside 44 singles, nine twos, and a three, as she expertly guided the tail-enders through to the very end of the innings.
Australia`s robust finish, accumulating 81 runs in the final ten overs—including a blistering 53 off the last four—and their effective targeting of Diana Baig, who conceded 74 runs in her ten overs, highlights potential tactical questions for Pakistan`s bowling strategy. With only five bowlers at their disposal, despite four having an excellent outing, they struggled to conclude the Australian innings decisively.
Pakistan`s Early Domination and Key Wickets
Iqbal, introduced by Sana in the fifth over, immediately found significant turn and quickly made an impact. She lured Alyssa Healy forward with a full delivery on the pads, which Healy attempted to flick but sent directly to Baig at mid-wicket. Soon after, Sana herself secured the wicket of Phoebe Litchfield, who skied the ball straight up, with the Pakistan captain calmly completing the catch and reaping the rewards of her early pressure. Before Litchfield`s dismissal, Sana had delivered 12 dot balls, showcasing her tight control. Interestingly, Sana eventually opted for an all-spin attack, giving her star player Ellyse Perry no opportunity to bat.
Sandhu made an immediate impact with her fifth ball, dismissing Perry who stepped down the track, was beaten by the turn, leading to a swift stumping by Sidra Nawaz. This wicket elevated Sandhu to Pakistan`s leading wicket-taker in ODI World Cups, surpassing former captain Sana Mir, and she continued her impressive form. In her very next over, Sandhu cunningly deceived Annabel Sutherland with a delivery that held its line, bypassing the inside edge to bowl her out.
While left-arm spin had been a formidable force in the tournament, offspinner Rameen Shamim was determined to contribute. Ash Gardner, the tournament`s first centurion, chipped Shamim straight to Sana at mid-wicket, leaving Australia at a precarious 60 for 5. Their situation worsened when Sandhu delivered a slow ball; Tahlia McGrath attempted to loft it over extra cover but failed to connect properly, slicing it to Baig, who lunged forward to complete a sharp catch. Georgia Wareham was then undone by extra bounce, offering a return catch to Shamim, plunging Australia further into trouble at 76 for 7. Sandhu momentarily believed she had the eighth wicket when Garth missed a straight one and was given out LBW, but a review confirmed she had hit the ball, saving her.
Mooney and King`s Unbreakable Partnership
Sana returned to bowl in the 28th over and narrowly missed running Garth out due to poor positioning at the non-striker`s end. Mooney flicked the ball towards mid-wicket, and Garth called for two, but had to scramble. Sana was positioned in front of the stumps rather than behind, and despite a good throw, she had to turn to break them, failing to do so in time. With only five bowlers available, Sana had to reintroduce Baig, who had bowled two overs early on, in the 32nd over, to preserve spin for the later stages. Australia then reached 100 runs off Baig`s bowling. Concurrently, Mooney registered her 20th ODI half-century off her 63rd delivery.
The eighth-wicket partnership between Mooney and Garth flourished into the innings` highest before another piece of brilliance from Nawaz behind the stumps. Baig bowled a full delivery down leg, and Garth missed the flick, her front foot out of the crease and back heel lifted. Nawaz reacted instantly, collecting the ball, staying low, and breaking the stumps with exceptional speed.
Mooney continued her almost solitary battle against Pakistan`s relentless attack, while King provided crucial support, holding her end steadfastly and playing risk-free cricket. Mooney was on 85 when she was given out LBW to Iqbal, a delivery that spun inwards and trapped her on the back leg. She immediately reviewed the decision, and ball-tracking conclusively showed the ball was turning too much and would have missed the leg stump. Mooney surged into the 90s by whipping Baig behind square and rapidly reached 97 with a well-timed cut for four and a briskly run three. Her magnificent hundred was brought up with a single off Sana. She then allowed King to unleash some powerful hitting. King capitalized, scoring 13 runs off Baig`s final over, followed by back-to-back sixes off Sana`s last over to complete her rapid 50 off just 48 balls. Mooney then added two more boundaries before being dismissed on the very last ball of the innings.
