ICC World Cup 2025
Ashleigh GardnerAustralia Vs EnglandWomens Cricket World Cup

Lauren Bell’s ‘Jaffa’ Stuns Australia; Gardner & Sutherland’s 180* Run Stand Steals Win in CWC25

Shivansh Rana | 4 min read | 2 weeks ago | Oct 23, 2025 02:02 am IST
Lauren Bell's 'Jaffa' Stuns Australia; Gardner & Sutherland's 180* Run Stand Steals Win in CWC25

What a delivery. In a high-stakes ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 match on October 22, England’s Lauren Bell produced a moment of magic against Australia. She delivered an absolute peach to dismiss Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield, leaving everyone watching completely stunned. But the real drama was only just beginning.

Key Takeaways

  • England’s Lauren Bell bowled a spectacular ‘jaffa’ to dismiss Phoebe Litchfield for just one run in the first over.
  • Australia found themselves in deep trouble at 4-68 while chasing England’s total of 244/9.
  • Ashleigh Gardner (104*) and Annabel Sutherland (98*) forged an incredible unbeaten 180-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
  • Australia won the match by six wickets, remaining unbeaten in the tournament and reclaiming the top spot on the points table.

The Unplayable Delivery

Look, sometimes a bowler just delivers a ball that’s too good for anyone. That’s exactly what happened at Holkar Stadium in Indore. With just the third ball of the innings, Lauren Bell bowled what’s being called an ‘absolute jaffa’. The ball beautifully shaped away from the left-handed Litchfield before crashing right into her off-stump. It was a superb delivery that gave England the perfect start.

You could feel the momentum shift. Australia, the unbeaten powerhouse, was suddenly on the back foot. And England wasn’t done yet.

Australia on the Ropes

That early wicket from Bell wasn’t a one-off. Soon after, Linsey Smith joined the party, and suddenly, Australia was crumbling. They slumped to a shocking 4-68. Chasing 245 for victory, it looked like their unbeaten run was finally coming to an end. For a moment, it seemed England had pulled off a masterstroke, completely dominating the defending champions. But then, two players decided to rewrite the script.

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The Match-Winning Partnership

Here’s the thing about champions, they find a way to win from anywhere. Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland walked to the crease with their team in a disastrous position. What followed was simply breathtaking. They didn’t just steady the ship; they launched an all-out counter-attack. The pair put on a massive, unbeaten 180-run partnership for the fifth wicket. It was a display of pure class and power.

Expert Analysis

Cricket pundits are calling this one of the greatest recovery partnerships in modern World Cup history. To absorb that kind of pressure at 4-68 and then systematically dismantle the opposition’s bowling attack shows an elite mentality. Gardner finished with a spectacular 104 not out, while Sutherland was tragically unlucky to miss her century, ending on 98 not out. Their performance turned a certain defeat into a statement victory.

Social Media Storm

Fans on social media went wild. Lauren Bell’s delivery was clipped and shared thousands of times, with many calling it the ‘Ball of the Tournament’. But the conversation quickly shifted to the heroics of Gardner and Sutherland, with #CWC25 and #AUSvENG trending for hours as users praised their unbelievable comeback.

What It Means for the Semis

But honestly, what makes this result even more interesting? Both Australia and England had already secured their spots in the semi-finals before this match even started. So, while the points were crucial for table standings, this game was all about psychological advantage. Australia’s win not only kept their unbeaten streak alive but also sent a powerful message to every other team. They can be pushed, they can be rattled, but they simply refuse to lose. They reclaimed the top spot on the table and now look almost unstoppable heading into the knockouts. What do you think, can anyone stop this Australian team?