Australia On The Brink Of Securing Their Third ICC Women’s Championship Title

December 21, 2024: Reigning Women’s Cricket World Cup champions Australia are on the brink of securing their third consecutive ICC Women’s Championship title after a rain-affected victory over New Zealand in the second ODI on Saturday.

Australia’s 65-run win (via the DLS method) propelled them to 37 points in the ICC Women’s Championship standings, putting them in an almost unassailable position. With only India (25 points) still in contention to catch them, Australia now requires only a tie or a draw in the remaining match of the series to seal the title. Even if India wins all their six remaining matches, Australia will clinch the championship as long as they avoid defeat in the final ODI against New Zealand.

The victory also reinforces Australia’s dominance in the tournament, as they have claimed every edition of the ICC Women’s Championship since its inception. The series win would mark an incredible achievement, further establishing their supremacy in women’s international cricket.

Annabel Sutherland was the standout performer for Australia in the second ODI, following up her century in the final ODI against India with another brilliant knock. The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 105 off 81 balls, blasting 11 fours and 2 sixes, anchoring Australia’s total to an imposing 291/7.

While several Australian batters, including Alyssa Healy (34 from 32 balls), Tahlia McGrath (34 from 30 balls), and Ellyse Perry (29 from 42 balls), contributed with handy knocks, it was Sutherland who carried on after getting her eye in, surpassing both the 50-run and 100-run milestones.

In reply, Molly Penfold starred with the ball, taking career-best 4/42, but New Zealand’s chase was hindered by early breakthroughs. Kim Garth provided the initial breakthrough, dismissing openers Suzie Bates (4) and Bella Jones (27 from 33 balls) during the Powerplay.

Melie Kerr (38 from 55 balls) and Sophie Devine (16) offered some resistance, but New Zealand found themselves struggling at 122/5 after Kerr was dismissed in the 28th over. With the DLS-par score still 65 runs away, the rain that interrupted play ultimately decided the match, handing Australia a well-earned win.

With the win, Australia now leads the series 1-0, and the final ODI, scheduled for Monday, December 23, could see them secure the championship title if they avoid defeat. Even though India can still theoretically catch Australia by winning all of their remaining matches against West Indies and Ireland, they will also need New Zealand to beat Australia in the final match of the series to overtake them in the standings.

Australia’s commanding position in the standings highlights their consistency and strength throughout the Women’s Championship cycle. Their near-certain triumph would be a fitting testament to their dominance in women’s international cricket.

As the tournament edges towards its conclusion, all eyes will be on the final ODI and the India-West Indies-Ireland series, as India hopes for a miracle result to deny Australia their third straight ICC Women’s Championship title.