Gardner, Sutherland share a 180-run stand as Australia beats England at Women's Cricket World Cup
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5:48 AM on Wednesday, October 22
The Associated Press
INDORE, India (AP) — Ash Gardner and Annabel Sutherland shared an unbroken 180-run partnership to help defending champion Australia defeat England by six wickets Wednesday and remain unbeaten at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Gardner hit her second hundred of the tournament and Sutherland was 98 not out as Australia recovered from 68-4 in 15.5 overs to win with 57 deliveries to spare. The pair had earlier taken five England wickets between them.
Australia finished on 248-4 in 40.3 overs in reply to England's 244-9, and it was the highest successful chase against England at a Cricket World Cup. Tammy Beaumont top-scored for England with 78 off 105 balls.
Australia, England and South Africa had already qualified for the semifinals.
Gardner scored 104 not out off 73 balls, following up on 115 off 83 balls against New Zealand at the same venue on Oct. 8.
Sutherland starred with the ball as well, picking up 3-60 and earning player-of-the-match honors. Off-spinner Gardner took 2-39 as England had no response to the duo’s allround prowess.
Alyssa Healy was ruled out of the game with a minor calf muscle strain, leaving Tahlia McGrath to lead Australia in her absence.
“The spinners did a fantastic job, especially Alana (King), and this is hard ground to defend," Sutherland said. “We knew the game was going to keep moving and Ash (Gardner) is pretty good at the other end. It is always fun batting with her. When I get in, I cash in as I trust my game.”
The win moved Australia atop the standings with 11 points from six games — five wins and a no-result — ahead of its last group game against second-place South Africa. The seven-time champions are on a 14-match unbeaten run in the tournament.
England remained third with its first loss of the tournament – it has nine points from four wins and a no-result.
Tournament co-host India can secure the remaining final spot if it beats New Zealand on Thursday.
England made a good start after being sent in, with openers Beaumont and Amy Jones (18) putting on 55.
Sutherland provided the breakthrough by bowling Jones, while Sophie Molineux dismissed in-form Heather Knight for 20. Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt fell for seven as England was down to 105-3 in 22.2 overs.
Sutherland struck in the 35th over to remove Beaumont and the English innings lost momentum, with the four-time champions losing regular wickets.
England hit back early in Australia’s innings.
Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith struck twice – bowling Georgia Voll for six and sending back Ellyse Perry for 13 — while Lauren Bell bowled Phoebe Litchfield (1).
After Beth Mooney was dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone for 20, Gardner and Sutherland combined to turn the game around. Their 50-stand came off 56 balls, and they gained momentum later on.
The next 50 runs came off 39 deliveries, while the 150-stand came up within another 38 balls. In her third Cricket World Cup hundred off the next 22 balls. In all she hit 16 fours, while Sutherland hit nine fours and a six.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
