In a thrilling Women’s World Cup encounter, Australia secured a commanding six-wicket victory over England, propelling them to the top of the tournament’s points table. The match, held on Wednesday, saw standout performances from Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner, who played pivotal roles in Australia’s successful chase of England’s target of 245 runs with 57 balls to spare. Gardner’s unbeaten century, scoring 104 off 73 balls with 16 boundaries, was complemented by Sutherland’s steady 98 not out, forming a formidable 180-run partnership. England, positioned third in the tournament, faced their first defeat as Australia’s bowlers, led by Sutherland’s three-wicket haul, restricted their scoring. Despite a valiant effort from England’s Tammy Beaumont (78) and a late surge by Charlie Dean and Alice Capsey, the defending champions fell short. Australia’s shaky start, losing early wickets, was stabilized by Beth Mooney and Sutherland before Gardner’s explosive batting sealed the win. England’s captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, acknowledged her team’s subpar performance but remained optimistic about future encounters. The victory solidifies Australia’s position as a strong contender for the title, while England looks to regroup for the semifinals.