 "Alyssa Healy smashed 142 to help Australia make the highest chase in women's ODI history. Image: AFP")
Australia pulled off an incredible chase to beat India by three wickets in their ICC Women’s World Cup match at Visakhapatnam on Sunday, October 12. Skipper Alyssa Healy led the charge with a brilliant 142 off 107 balls, guiding her side to a record chase of 331 runs, the highest ever successfully chased in women’s ODI history.
India had posted a strong total of 330 in 48.5 overs. Smriti Mandhana scored 80 while Pratika Rawal made 75, and other batters including Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh chipped in with useful contributions. But India lost quick wickets towards the end, which allowed Australia to stay in the game.
Healy’s innings, which was made up of 21 fours and three sixes, set the platform for Australia. Even after Ellyse Perry retired hurt earlier in the innings, she returned to play an unbeaten 47 to help her team cross the finish line in 49 overs with one over to spare.
Netizens react to Australia’s dominance
Fans on social media were amazed by Australia’s performance and slammed the Indian team for their poor show. “The World Cup in India is Australia’s again. Aus v Eng final is pretty much confirmed. Freakish team, they didn’t even play to their best this game,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Skill gap between Australia and India was already known. You need to maximise the resources you have. In fact, there is no point in discussing SA or Australia games because we didn’t maximise it in both games. And that’s on the management. Team showed character. That’s all.”
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side lost to South Africa in their previous game of the ongoing World Cup. India will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches.