Mooney details testing moments during match-winning knock
A 'mentally fried' Beth Mooney recounts pivotal moments of her big CWC25 innings and the cameos that helped Australia post a competitive total against Pakistan.
Australia might look back on this win over Pakistan with fond memories.
The reigning ICC Women's Cricket World Cup champions were made to dig deep, leaning on the stardom of Beth Mooney who produced a memorable innings that guided the Aussies to 220 runs, proving to be a more than defendable total.
They emerged from a testing period with flying colours, as Mooney found just enough assistance at the other end, and from the dugout.
"I'm mentally a bit fried now, having spent so much time in my head for the majority of that batting innings," Mooney told media post-game.
Exhausted Mooney reflects on superb ton against Pakistan | Post-match Press Conference | CWC25
Australia batter Beth Mooney discussed her superb century against Pakistan at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup
"We know that teams like Pakistan are front runners when they're flying ... and about. If you get a little partnership going, they can get a little bit flat and you can open the game up that way. So, I knew we had a long time to bat, so we didn't have to do anything too rash. And we were still moving the scoreboard slightly, not probably as much as we're used to, but that scenario demanded that of us a little bit. And then as the game went on, the game opened up a little bit more for us as batters and we were able to score a little bit more freely. So I think the time left in the game certainly helped with the less panic.
"So just pleased we got over the line. The bowlers backed up the batting unit."
Kim Garth (11 off 47) hung around, before Alana King (51 off 49) helped finish off the innings in a flurry. And at opportune moments, Mooney was leveraging the advice being sent out from Australia's coaching staff, which helped her stay locked in on the job.
"(I was) trying to find out at what point I could start being a little bit more expansive," she continued.
Australia outshine Pakistan in mammoth win | Match Highlights | CWC25
A spectacular display from Beth Mooney helps Australia to a 107-run win against Pakistan in the ICC Women's Cricket World cup 2025.
"I think at that point there was maybe 15 overs left. So (I was after) just a number or an over that I could start playing a few more shots and a couple of other messages around certain bowlers and different plans to them.
"I did wonder if we could have (batted more aggressively) a little bit earlier. But at the same time, 220 ended up being more than enough. So yeah, I think it's hard to look back and wonder if I should have played differently when the game panned out how it did.
"It's really nice to have obviously (coaches) Dan Marsh and Shelley Nitschke on the sideline and Scott Prestwidge and Gav Twining who played a lot of cricket, they know their stuff. I don't shy away from feedback as the game's going on. I think those games are really important to use the resources around you. So, any opportunity I got to get a message I think was really important given the context of the scenario."
The performance holds them in good stead to be ready for the next high pressure moment they experience at the tournament.
The Aussies also had the chance to show the world how deep their batting ranks are, with King coming in at 10 and smashing her first ODI half-century.
"Kingy works really hard on her batting," Mooney continued.
"(She) was excellent, really clear with her method when she was out there. And then once it was time to go, she let loose and smacked a few, which was great to watch.
"She asks a lot of questions, the coaching staff, and the players around her, and I think that's just someone that really prides herself on whatever role she's given. Ideally, she'd probably like to bat a little bit higher, but the depth in this Australian team is almost unheard of. So unfortunately for her, she slides down the order a little bit. But we saw tonight she can play a significant role in the outcome of our batting innings. And from our point of view, we're really lucky to have basically 11 people who can bat.
"We've been really blessed with a lot of talent in our top order, and tonight was just one of those nights where we didn't execute that well as a batting unit. And that's going to happen sometimes, and we've got to live with that and move on."
Australia Squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Pakistan Squad: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah
