Georgia Voll’s unbeaten 131 powers Australia to ODI series victory over Bangladesh
Georgia Voll produced a commanding unbeaten century as Australia defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets in the second women’s ODI at Allan Border Field in Brisbane. Chasing 221, the hosts reached 222 for 1 in just 28.1 overs, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Voll’s 131 from 97 deliveries was the defining performance of a match that offered two very different innings: Bangladesh’s fightback from an early collapse, led by a historic century from Sobhana Mostary, and Australia’s remarkably brisk response. Megan Schutt also made a major impact, claiming four wickets for 36 runs to help restrict Bangladesh after its middle order had threatened to build a much bigger total.
Schutt strikes early as Bangladesh lose three wickets
Bangladesh’s innings began with a difficult passage against Australia’s disciplined new-ball attack. The first runs off the bat did not arrive until the fourth over, and the visitors were soon in serious trouble. By the eighth over, Bangladesh had slipped to 8 for 3, leaving its middle order with the task of rebuilding against a confident home side.
Schutt opened the damage by having Fargana Hoque caught behind. Kim Garth then trapped Sarmin Sultana lbw, before Schutt returned to bowl Sharmin Akhter. The early strikes put Australia firmly in control and made a substantial Bangladesh total look unlikely.
Instead, Sobhana and captain Nigar Sultana responded with a remarkable partnership. The pair added 195 runs for the fourth wicket, the highest stand for any wicket against Australia in women’s one-day internationals. Their partnership transformed the innings, carrying Bangladesh from a precarious position to a competitive total of 220 for 6.
Sobhana Mostary makes history with maiden international century
Sobhana was the aggressor in the partnership, combining patience early on with increasingly confident strokeplay as her innings developed. She reached her half-century from 66 balls, then brought up her maiden international hundred off 123 deliveries. Her final score of 118 made her the first Bangladeshi woman to score a century against Australia—a landmark achievement in the country’s cricket history.
Nigar provided a steady presence at the other end, anchoring the recovery while allowing Sobhana to take on the scoring opportunities. The captain reached her fifty from 97 balls and finished unbeaten on 74, having helped guide Bangladesh through a demanding period after the top-order collapse.
The partnership was especially valuable because it came after Australia’s quick start with the ball. By rebuilding rather than chasing an immediate acceleration, Sobhana and Nigar gave Bangladesh a chance to post a total that could test the home side. Their stand also offered a clear positive for the visitors despite the defeat: Bangladesh’s batters showed they could recover under pressure and sustain a long partnership against one of the strongest teams in women’s cricket.
Late wickets limit Bangladesh’s finish
Australia regained control in the closing overs. Schutt bowled Sobhana with a full toss in the 48th over, ending the innings’ most important stand. Bangladesh then lost three wickets for 11 runs near the finish and closed on 220 for 6, with Nigar unbeaten on 74.
Schutt’s four-wicket return was central to Australia’s effort. Her early breakthroughs created the crisis, while her dismissal of Sobhana eventually broke the partnership that had revived Bangladesh. Garth also contributed with a wicket, finishing with figures of 1 for 35.
Voll and Litchfield turn the chase into a statement
Australia’s reply quickly became a demonstration of attacking batting. Voll and opening partner Phoebe Litchfield took advantage of the conditions and kept the required rate under control from the outset. Voll reached her fifty from only 34 balls, including four boundaries in the 10th over off Ritu Moni. The openers brought up their century stand in the 13th over, putting Australia on course for a rapid finish.
Litchfield made 70 from 51 balls, reaching her half-century off 41 deliveries. She struck freely alongside Voll and helped build an opening partnership worth 162. Shorna Akter eventually ended the stand, dismissing Litchfield with leg-spin, but by then Australia needed only 59 more runs to win.
Voll continued without being dismissed, adding an unbeaten 60-run partnership with Ellyse Perry. Perry supported the chase as Australia moved smoothly past the target, with Voll finishing on 131 not out. Her innings combined clean boundary hitting with smart placement, ensuring the hosts did not allow Bangladesh’s bowlers an opportunity to build sustained pressure.
What the result means for the series
The nine-wicket win gives Australia a 2-0 lead and secures the three-match ODI series before the final game. The margin reflects the home side’s strength across both innings: Schutt’s incisive bowling helped create an early opening, while Voll and Litchfield made the chase appear far more straightforward than Bangladesh’s recovery suggested it might be.
For Bangladesh, the result was disappointing, but Sobhana’s historic century and the record fourth-wicket partnership provide meaningful positives. The team showed resilience after losing three early wickets, though the late collapse prevented it from adding the extra runs that might have made Australia’s chase more challenging.
Looking ahead, a cricket prediction for the third ODI would naturally favour Australia, given its series lead, home advantage and powerful batting lineup. However, Bangladesh’s middle-order performance offers a reason to expect a more competitive contest if the visitors can improve their start and carry their finishing momentum through the final overs. The last match will give both teams a chance to shape their broader takeaways: Australia can aim for a clean sweep, while Bangladesh can build on Sobhana’s breakthrough and seek a stronger all-round performance.
Second ODI: Brief scores
Bangladesh Women: 220 for 6 in 50 overs (Sobhana Mostary 118, Nigar Sultana 74 not out; Megan Schutt 4/36, Kim Garth 1/35).
Australia Women: 222 for 1 in 28.1 overs (Georgia Voll 131 not out, Phoebe Litchfield 70; Shorna Akter 1/32).
Result: Australia won by nine wickets and took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
