England eye chance to turn tables on Healy-less Australia

21 Oct 2025 Laura Jolly, in Indore

The World Cup's two undefeated teams will go head-to-head in Indore today

England are eyeing an opportunity to land a blow on an Australia outfit missing leader Alyssa Healy ahead of a potential World Cup finals showdown, as the tournament's two undefeated teams go head-to-head in Indore tonight.

The Ashes foes have both locked in semi-finals berths and Wednesday's game will offer an injection of confidence and momentum ahead of next week's semi-finals for the winner.

Aussie skipper Healy to miss table-topping clash with England

That is particularly true for England, who last defeated Australia in a full international mid-2023 and who endured the ignominy of becoming the first team to lose the multi-format Ashes 16-0 in January.

"I think every time you come up against Australia, it's a huge game," England wicketkeeper Amy Jones said on Tuesday, when asked how important it was to land a blow on Australia ahead of finals.

"Obviously you want to win every game you play for England, but there's a rivalry there and they've had the better of us a lot recently.

"So I think the whole team will definitely be up for it and looking to get another win in the tournament."

England will be buoyed by their thrilling four-run win over India at the same ground on Sunday, while they also got one over Australia on the eve of the World Cup, taking a four-wicket win in their warm-up game in Bengaluru.

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Since the Ashes, they have installed a new coach in Charlotte Edwards and captain in Natalie Sciver-Brunt, while Jones has returned to the top of the order alongside Tammy Beaumont.

Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith meanwhile has emerged as a major threat this tournament, adding an extra weapon to England's spin attack alongside Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean.

Ten months on from the Ashes, England have well and truly put that campaign behind them, Jones declared on Tuesday.

"(The Ashes) hasn't been a topic of discussion," Jones said.

"I think it's fairly easy to look past it only because, a lot of time has passed, a lot of changes have happened since then.

"It's got a really, really different feel about it. I think in general, tournament cricket's a bit different on the whole.

"I think when a new coach comes in, the conversations are different and there's been a real emphasis on taking a bit more responsibility as individuals, particularly within the batting order.

"(Australia) have had a great tournament so far, so we know they pose a huge challenge, but we're really excited for it."

Healy injury a test for Australia's depth: Nitschke

Australia coach Shelley Nitschke said her team were likewise focused on the present, and knew the current England group would pose a different challenge to the side they met last summer.

While England have undergone a raft of changes, Australia go into Wednesday's match with a near identical playing group to last summer's Ashes.

If anything, the circumstances will feel a little too eerily similar for the Australians, given there is once again an injury cloud hanging over their captain, wicketkeeper and opener Healy, whose tournament is in doubt following a minor calf strain suffered at training on Saturday.

"The past doesn't matter," Nitschke said of Australia's recent record against England.

"It's actually a different prospect here, we're in different conditions.

"They've changed some things with their team since we last met them, so we certainly won't be dwelling too much on the past and certainly know that they're playing some good cricket as well.

"We need to be playing our best and prepared for that as well ... it's a clean slate here in India with neutral conditions for both teams."

2025 Women's ODI World Cup

Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham