ICC Women’s World Cup
Visakhapatnam, Oct 12: A scintillating century from skipper Alyssa Healy powered Australia to the highest-ever successful chase in women’s One-Day International history, as they defeated India by three wickets in a pulsating ICC Women’s World Cup group-stage clash on Sunday.
Set a mammoth target of 331, the Australian captain led from the front with a breathtaking 142 off 107 balls, guiding her team to victory with an over to spare at the YSR ACA-VDCA Stadium. The innings was a perfect blend of composure and controlled aggression, reaffirming Healy’s stature as one of modern cricket’s most impactful leaders.
The day began with Australia electing to bowl first, a decision that seemed to backfire as Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal gave India a commanding start. Mandhana, continuing her rich vein of form, made history by becoming the first player in women’s ODIs to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year. She struck a fluent 80, while Rawal supported her brilliantly with a well-crafted 75. The pair’s efforts, along with contributions from Jemimah Rodrigues (33), propelled India to a formidable total of 330 all out in 48.5 overs.
However, India’s innings lost momentum in the final phase. From 294 for 4, they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last six wickets for just 36 runs. Australia’s young pace sensation Annabel Sutherland was the wrecker-in-chief, producing a career-best performance of 5 for 40 in 9.5 overs, while Sophie Molineux (3/75) provided valuable support with her left-arm spin.
Chasing a record total was never going to be easy, but Healy’s intent was clear from the outset. She punished anything short or wide, racing to her sixth ODI hundred — and her first as captain — off just 84 deliveries. Her strokeplay was audacious yet precise, as she peppered the boundary ropes with 21 fours and three sixes.
India briefly clawed their way back when Sneh Rana produced a stunning diving catch at backward point to dismiss Healy for 142, ending a potentially match-defining partnership and reducing Australia to 276 for 5. But just when the hosts sensed an opening, Ellyse Perry returned to anchor the chase after earlier retiring hurt with a hamstring concern.Displaying remarkable composure, Perry steadied the innings with an unbeaten 47 off 52 balls, lacing her knock with five boundaries and a six. (PTI)
BRIEF SCORE
India: 330 all out in 48.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80, Pratika Rawal 75, Jemimah Rodrigues 33; Annabel Sutherland 5/40, Sophie Molineux 3/75).
Australia: 331/7; 49 overs (Alyssa Healy 142, Ellyse Perry 47 not out; Shree Charani 3/41, Deepti Sharma 2/52).
