Beth Mooney’s Historic Centuries: A Record-Breaking Year for Australian Cricket

When people talk about modern-day batting greats in women’s cricket, Beth Mooney’s name comes up almost immediately. The left-hander from Queensland has built her reputation on consistency, adaptability, and the ability to rise to the occasion. In 2025, she has taken that reputation several notches higher by producing innings that will be remembered for years. From blasting one of the fastest centuries in One-Day Internationals to becoming the first Australian woman with hundreds in all three international formats, Mooney is stamping her legacy on the game in bold letters.

Let’s break down her latest feats and why they matter so much for Australian cricket.

A 57-Ball Masterclass in Delhi

On September 20, 2025, Mooney walked out at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi with a clear intent: to dominate India’s bowlers. What followed was one of the most brutal yet elegant innings seen in women’s cricket. She reached her century in just 57 balls, making it the joint second-fastest century in Women’s ODI history. For Australia, it was among the quickest ever, and the ease with which she found gaps made it look effortless.

Image Credits: TV9 Bharatvarsh

Her knock included 16 fours and a six, a display of precise stroke-making mixed with controlled aggression. The milestone came against Radha Yadav, and by that point, Australia had already tightened its grip on the match. More importantly, it wasn’t just about the speed of the innings. It was about the way Mooney dictated terms against a strong Indian attack in their own backyard.

This innings reminded everyone that she is not only consistent but also capable of producing game-defining knocks under pressure. For a player often seen as reliable and steady, this was a statement of raw dominance.

The Rare All-Format Centurion

Earlier in 2025, during a day-night Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Mooney achieved something that placed her in truly elite company. She scored her maiden Test hundred, a patient and composed 106, becoming the first Australian woman to register centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Image Credits: Female Cricket

To put that into perspective, only a handful of players in women’s cricket history have managed to cross the three-format century mark. Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, and Laura Wolvaardt are the other names on that short list. For Mooney, this wasn’t just a personal record. It was proof of her versatility. To succeed across formats, a batter needs to shift gears constantly: the patience of Test cricket, the calculated aggression of ODIs, and the explosive power of T20s. Mooney has mastered all three.

Her journey to this milestone has been gradual but consistent. Her first ODI hundred came back in 2017 against New Zealand in Auckland. Later that same year, she smashed an unbeaten 117 in a T20I against England at Canberra, becoming the first Australian woman to score a century in the shortest format. From there, she built a steady collection of match-winning performances. Adding a Test century to that record finally sealed her place among the most adaptable players the game has seen.

The Standout Innings That Defined Her Career

Mooney’s cricketing journey is filled with innings that demonstrate both grit and flair. Her unbeaten 125 against India in Mackay in 2021 was a perfect example of her ability to anchor the innings and finish strong. Two years later, in Sydney, she scored 133 against Pakistan, again showcasing her range of strokes and calmness under pressure.

Each of these centuries tells a story. Against New Zealand in 2017, it was the breakthrough that marked her arrival. Against England in T20Is the same year, it was about rewriting records. Against India and Pakistan in the years that followed, it was about cementing her place as Australia’s dependable run-getter. And now, in 2025, it’s about pushing boundaries and entering new record books.

Speed and Style: Her Fastest Hundreds

One of the most fascinating aspects of Mooney’s career is her ability to adjust her tempo. The 57-ball century in Delhi proved she can accelerate like very few in women’s cricket. But her T20I record also deserves equal attention. Her unbeaten 117 against England in 2017 wasn’t just her maiden T20 hundred. It was also the first time any Australian woman crossed the three-figure mark in that format.

Both knocks highlight a unique balance. Mooney is not a one-dimensional hitter who relies on brute force. Instead, she thrives on timing, placement, and picking the right moments to take risks. That’s why bowlers find her so hard to contain.

Beyond the Runs: Her Broader Career Impact

Mooney’s international feats are only part of the story. Her impact extends to domestic cricket and franchise leagues. She has been a cornerstone of the Women’s Big Bash League, consistently ranking among the top run-scorers. Her leadership skills also came to the fore when she captained the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League in India.

These experiences have made her a complete cricketer: someone who not only performs but also inspires and mentors others. Her calmness under pressure, whether chasing a target or leading a side, makes her a role model for young cricketers around the world.

Why Mooney Matters for Australian Women’s Cricket

Australia has always been a powerhouse in women’s cricket, and players like Mooney are the reason why that dominance continues. She bridges the gap between eras, carrying forward the legacy of greats while setting new benchmarks.

Her consistent run-scoring has lifted Australia in crucial matches, often in ICC tournaments where the stakes are highest. More importantly, her presence adds depth and confidence to the batting order. For younger players breaking into the squad, having someone like Mooney to look up to is invaluable.

She represents a shift in women’s cricket, too. The game is evolving rapidly, with more eyes watching than ever before. Performances like Mooney’s 57-ball century or her Ashes hundred ensure that the sport gets the headlines and recognition it deserves.

Wrapping Up

Beth Mooney is not just stacking up runs and records. She’s redefining what it means to be an all-format cricketer in women’s cricket. From her blistering 57-ball hundred in Delhi to her composed Test century at the MCG, her journey in 2025 alone has been extraordinary. Add her contributions in ODIs, T20Is, the WBBL, and the WPL, and you see a career that is both decorated and impactful.

What this really means is simple: Mooney is no longer just one of the best batters in the world right now. She is one of the most important figures in the history of Australian women’s cricket. And the way she’s going, the records we’re celebrating today may only be the beginning.

FAQs About Beth Mooney’s Historic Centuries

1. What is Beth Mooney’s latest achievement in 2025?

She scored a 57-ball century against India in Delhi in September 2025, one of the fastest in Women’s ODI history.

2. How fast was Beth Mooney’s century against India?

She reached her hundred in just 57 balls, making it the joint second-fastest century in Women’s ODI cricket.

3. When did Beth Mooney score her maiden Test century?

She scored her first Test hundred in early 2025 at the MCG during a day-night Ashes Test against England.

4. Is Beth Mooney the first Australian woman with centuries in all formats?

Yes, she is the first Australian woman to score centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

5. Who are the other women cricketers with centuries in all three formats?

Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, and Laura Wolvaardt are the only others to achieve this milestone.

6. When did Beth Mooney score her first international century?

Her first ODI century came in 2017 against New Zealand in Auckland, and her first T20I hundred also came in 2017 against England in Canberra.

7. How many international centuries does Beth Mooney have so far?

She has one Test century, multiple ODI centuries, and two T20I centuries as of 2025.

8. What makes Beth Mooney’s batting style unique?

She combines timing and placement with controlled aggression, allowing her to accelerate when needed without relying solely on power-hitting.

9. Has Beth Mooney played franchise cricket?

Yes, she has been a star performer in the WBBL and also captained the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League in India.

10. What impact has Beth Mooney had on Australian women’s cricket?

She has been a consistent match-winner, a record-breaker, and an inspiring figure for younger players, helping Australia remain dominant in women’s cricket.