Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Annabel Sutherland (middle) is the tournament’s joint-leading wicket-taker
ByFfion Wynne
BBC Sport journalist in Guwahati
At the conclusion of the group stage of the Women’s World Cup and with the semi-finals on the horizon, one specific question has been doing the rounds throughout.
How do you beat Australia?
The defending champions have reached the knockouts unbeaten, the group stage culminating in their most convincing win so far as they bowled out South Africa – who are England’s semi-final opponents – for just 97.
Even their biggest wobble – the slump to 76-7 against Pakistan – ended up being a showcase of why they are such heavy favourites, as Beth Mooney’s century revived them to 221-9.
They rightly have unwavering confidence in their staggering batting depth, and part of what makes them so hard to beat is the sheer amount of all-rounders. Of the XI that beat England comfortably in Indore, eight of them were genuine bowling options.
Australia slipped to 68-4 in that game, but even then, captain Alyssa Healy said there was no doubt they would get over the line.
“It’s been the nature of the tournament where teams have struggled at the top,” Healy told BBC’s No Balls podcast.
“I’ve been saying the whole way you’ve got to back your depth. They keep stepping up, sticking their hands up and getting the job done no matter the situation.
“There was frustration [against England] but no, I don’t think there was ever any worry.”
Between the 2022 World Cup and the start of this edition, Australia played 31 one-day internationals, winning 26 and losing four, with one washed out.
They have not lost a World Cup game since being knocked out in the last four by India in 2017, which kickstarted this phenomenal run.
However, those rare defeats have come against the other semi-finalists, with two against England in the 2023 Ashes and one each against India and South Africa.
BBC Sport and data analysts CricViz have looked at the statistics at the end of the group stage to see their greatest strengths and whether there are any weaknesses in their game for opponents to target.
ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-finals
29 & 30 October, 2025
In-play clips and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website and app
What makes Australia so good?
It is the aforementioned batting depth which has set Australia apart from the rest for the past few years of dominance.
They have the formidable luxury of Tahlia McGrath at seven and Georgia Wareham at eight (when she can get in the side), meaning that even if a top-order wobble occurs, they have a lengthy safety net – and crucially, they have the grit and mentality from 1-11 so that someone always catches them.
It also means they can be more aggressive earlier, and take more risks rather than worrying
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