Australia clinch ICC Women's Championship title for third time

Wellington (The Uttam Hindu): – Australia sealed their third consecutive ICC Women's Championship title after a dominant 75-run win over New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington capping off a stellar 24-match campaign. The victory earned Australia an unassailable 39 points made up of 17 wins three no-results, and three losses ensuring their place at the top of the standings. India their closest challenger could only manage a maximum of 37 points from their remaining matches . With Australia securing the title, the loss was a blow for New Zealand who now face an uncertain future in terms of automatic qualification for the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. Currently sitting in the last automatic qualification spot with 21 points they are at risk of being overtaken by Bangladesh (19 points) or the West Indies (14 points). If they fall out of the top four New Zealand will have to compete in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier where six teams will vie for the final two spots .

Australia’s victory not only clinched the championship but also secured an automatic World Cup spot for Sri Lanka who are now safe from teams with games in hand. In the match Australia’s openers Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield set the tone with a solid 88-run partnership. Contributions from Annabel Sutherland (42) and Ashleigh Gardner (74) helped Australia post a commanding 290. Despite a solid start from New Zealand (106/1 in the 20th over) they faltered as Australia’s bowlers took charge with Sutherland (3-39) and Alana King (3-34) leading the charge to dismiss New Zealand for 215. Australia remains the only team to have won the ICC Women’s Championship three times having also claimed titles in the 2014-16 and 2017-20 cycles further cementing their dominance in women’s cricket.