England secured an impressive victory over holders Australia in their final ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 warm-up match.
South Africa were comfortable in their chase of Pakistan’s 229, winning by the same margin as England, four wickets.
Glenn and Capsey deliver England win
Sarah Glenn’s five-for set up Alice Capsey’s 88 not out as England earned a four-wicket win over Australia in Bengaluru.
England opted to field and quickly made a breakthrough with skipper Alyssa Healy departing for one run from the fifth ball of the innings.
At the end of the 16th over, the defending champions had slipped to 128 for four after Phoebe Litchfield was dismissed for 71 from 48 for Glenn’s second wicket.
Australia lost regular wickets and slipped to 167 for eight with more than half of the innings still to go as Glenn ripped through the middle order.
Beth Mooney dug in, scoring 59 not out from 42, but her side were bowled out in the 35th over to set England 248 to win.
In their chase, England were reduced to 32 for three when Heather Knight departed as Kim Garth’s second wicket.
Sophia Dunkley and Emma Lamb responded with half-centuries, but it was Capsey there at the end to hit the winning runs with 5.3 overs to spare.
Luus and Bosch deliver for Proteas
Half-centuries for Sune Luus and Anneke Bosch helped South Africa to a four-wicket win over Pakistan.
Having chosen to bat in Colombo, Pakistan’s openers made decent scores without pushing on before Sidra Amin retired on 37 with her side at 117 for three.
Aliya Riaz and captain Fatima Sana built a strong partnership before Nawaz was caught and bowled by Annerie Dercksen.
Fatima pushed on to make 64 from 75 balls before becoming the first of Masabata Klaas’ two victims.
Pakistan posted 229 from 46 overs before being bowled out and made early headway as they looked to restrict the Proteas.
Openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits both fell cheaply before Luus delivered 54 from 68 balls.
She passed the baton on to Bosch, who made 58 before following Luus’ lead and retiring.
Chloe Tryon finished the march to victory as Pakistan attempted to chip away at their resolve with wickets, but it was not enough to deny South Africa the win.
Scores in brief
England v Australia – BCCI Centre of Excellence 1, Bengaluru, India
Australia 247 all out in 34.4 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 71, Beth Mooney 59 not out; Sarah Glenn 5/32, Em Arlott 2/35)
England 251/6 in 44.3 overs (Alice Capsey 88 not out, Emma Lamb 60; Kim Garth 2/17, Georgia Wareham 1/18)
Result: England win by four wickets
South Africa v Pakistan – R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Pakistan 229 all out in 46.0 overs (Fatima Sana 64, Sidra Amin 37; Masabata Klass 2/26, Ayabonga Khaka 2/40)
South Africa 233/6 in 40.1 overs (Anneke Bosch 58, Sune Luus 54; Diana Baig 2/32; Omaima Sohail 1/35)
Result: South Africa win by four wickets
Flash
Abbas Ali Baig was the first Indian cricketer to be kissed during a Test match – When Abbas Ali Baig reached a half-century in the third Test match against Australia at the Brabourne Stadium in 1960, a pretty young girl ran all the way from the North Stand to greet the batsman. She kissed Baig on his cheek.
Necromancer
The highest-scoring international rugby player of all time is New Zealand’s Dan Carter, who amassed a total of 1,598 points throughout his illustrious career.