Australia’s Women’s World Cup defeat exposes need for a reset – not an overhaul | Mrinal Asija

<p>Australia’s women have lost their grip on both the T20 and ODI crowns within 12 months but were the most well-rounded unit at this year’s tournament</p><p>What a difference a night makes? The Australian women’s cricket team, undefeated at the tournament and hot favourites to again lift the Women’s Cricket World Cup, fumbled the semi-final in Navi Mumbai and coughed up the chance to defend their title.</p><p>Known as the mentality monsters for their unmatched ability to fight back from the most dire of situations, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/30/india-chase-down-record-total-to-stun-champions-australia-and-reach-world-cup-final-womens-cricket">Australia failed to defend their total of 338</a>. In a contrasting display, their opponents – co-hosts India – shed their own tendency to buckle under pressure in knockout games and held their nerve to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/oct/30/india-v-australia-womens-cricket-world-cup-semi-final-live">overhaul the record for the highest successful run chase in women’s ODIs</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/01/australia-womens-world-cup-defeat-india-semi-final-trophy-drought">Continue reading...</a>