Australia was in deep trouble early in their innings, slumping to 76 for 7 against Pakistan in the Women’s ODI World Cup. What followed was one of the finest rescue acts by Beth Mooney, who anchored the innings and steered her team to a decent total.
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Mooney stayed at the crease for about 42 overs, patiently negotiating the spin and bounce on offer. She built partnerships with lower-order batters, particularly Alana King, and steadily added runs to rebuild the innings. In the process, she played most of her shots late, often from deep in her crease, waiting for the right deliveries to punish.
Her only real misstep came with the last ball of the innings, when she chased a short delivery and was caught at cover. Even then, she had scored a masterful century that turned a collapsing innings into something respectable. Australia ended up with 221 for 9.
The conditions took their toll on her. As soon as she walked off the field, she rushed to the changing room, dunked her head in ice water, changed clothes, and tried to recover from the stifling heat and fatigue. She admitted afterward that her feet were aching and her mind was exhausted from so many hours of intense focus.
Mooney was aided by frequent sideline messages from the coaching staff. She was in constant communication—running to the boundary ropes to receive instructions. She used these cues to decide when to stay safe and when to loosen up. With around 15 overs remaining, she sensed the moment had come to play more aggressively.
Earlier, Kim Garth had supported her in a lesser but crucial role, rotating the strike and blocking up when needed. After the seventh wicket fell inside the PowerPlay, Mooney slowed the tempo and turned into a stubborn wall, absorbing what Pakistan’s bowlers threw at her.
In the end, her grit gave Australia a fighting total. Once Pakistan began their chase, Australia’s bowlers took over. The spinners struggled as the pitch changed, and the seamers exploited the conditions. Pakistan never recovered, and Australia won by 107 runs in dominant fashion.
Mooney credited her success to intense preparation and mental strength. She had trained in low, slow conditions to simulate the pitch in Colombo, and she knew that patience was the key. She stressed that she doesn’t shy away from feedback or mid-game adjustments. She also acknowledged the critical support from Dan Marsh and Shelley Nitschke on the sidelines, pointing out that their experience helped guide her decisions..
Despite the drama, her celebration was subdued. She remains a remarkably calm and thoughtful player, even when her innings feel like miracles. But for Australia, this was one of those innings that remind us of how quickly momentum can shift in cricket—and how one determined batter can snatch control from the jaws of disaster.