ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 | Match 17: Australia vs Bangladesh | Preview and Predictions

In Match 17 of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, a high-flying Australia take on a stumbling Bangladesh, who have slowly dropped down the table and are staring at an early exit, making this a David versus Goliath battle.

For this game, here are our preview and predictions.

ICC Women’s CWC 2025 | Match 17: AUS vs BAN | 15:00 IST, October 16

Australia are beginning to look like the finished article. They have a clean record so far, though their batting unit had not been clicking for the most part, with captain Alyssa Healy having to rely on individual brilliance to get the team home.

All that changed against India. Chasing a steep 331, Healy led from the front with a match-turning century while the rest of the batting order chipped in with crucial runs. Ellyse Perry finally got some runs under her belt and showed her importance and class by guiding Australia home in a nervy chase, returning to the pitch late on despite injury to seal the record chase.

The bowlers have been consistently doing the job for Australia. Even when they’ve conceded a fair few runs, as was the case against India, they’ve managed to regain momentum to limit damage. Case in point, last time out they managed to restrict the Women in Blue to 330 from a dominant position of 294/4.

Kim Garth and Megan Schutt have been miserly at the top, while the spinners have been reaping the benefits from the early tightening of screws, with Alana King, Sophie Molineux (who played her first World Cup game against India last time out), and fast-bowling all-rounder Annabel Sutherland being among the wickets.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, have also been struggling with the bat and are towards the bottom end of the points table. Their batting has been scrappy, and the top order has not given the other batters anything to build on. Sobhana Mostary has been the only positive sign for the Bangla Tigresses with the bat, and captain Nigar Sultana knows that she needs to fare better with the bat along with the rest of her batters.

With the ball, meanwhile, Bangladesh have been impressive, with young quick Marufa Akter leading the efficient spin unit that comprises Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Nishita Akter, and Shorna Akter in conditions that have suited their playing style.

On paper, Australia are the clear favourites here given their form, experience, and head-to-head record against Bangladesh. It’s hard to look past Alyssa Healy & Co as winners of this encounter.

Fantasy XI: Alyssa Healy (vc & wk), Beth Mooney, Nigar Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Rabeya Khan, Alana King, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Nishita Akter

Venue: Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Winners Prediction: Australia