Snehasis Mukherjee in Visakhapatnam
Australia skipper Alyssa Healy’s masterclass handed India their second consecutive defeat in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. The Aussies beat the Women in Blue by three wickets, with one over to spare.
India fought till the end, picking up late wickets to stay in the contest, but it wasn’t enough as the defending champions held their nerve to take two crucial points and stay unbeaten. Australia are topping the table with seven points from four matches. India are third with four from four.
Chasing a challenging target of 331, Australia got off to a flying start. Openers Healy and Phoebe Litchfield added 85 in just 11.2 overs. It was the perfect start to the chase before India finally broke through.
Ellyse Perry joined Healy, and the duo continued to score freely, frustrating the bowlers. However, Perry had to retire hurt on 32 after appearing to struggle with cramps. India then fought back strongly. Beth Mooney fell for four, and Annabel Sutherland departed for a duck. Australia were suddenly 170/3, and the game seemed open again.
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Healy was unstoppable. Calm, composed, and clinical, she kept rotating the strike and punished every loose ball. Alongside Ashleigh Gardner, she added 95 runs for the fourth wicket. Healy brought up her sixth ODI hundred and was eventually dismissed for a magnificent 142, putting Australia firmly in control.
Gardner made 45, while Tahlia McGrath’s poor form continued with another low score of 12. India kept fighting, taking the wickets of Sophie Molineux (18) and Gardner, but couldn’t find a way past Australia’s depth. Perry returned to the crease and, along with Kim Garth, guided the Aussies home with six balls to spare — sealing the chase in style with a six down the ground.
Although they lost, India’s fielding was impressive. Jemimah Rodrigues stood out with her sharp work, while N. Shree Charani was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3/41.
Earlier in the day, India finally put up a strong batting performance — their best so far in this World Cup — posting 330 in 48.5 overs. Openers Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) gave India a brilliant 155-run start, followed by handy contributions from Harleen Deol (38), Harmanpreet Kaur (22), Jemimah Rodrigues (33), and Richa Ghosh (32).
At one stage, India looked set for a total beyond 350, but Australia hit back late. From 309/5, India collapsed to 330 all out, losing their last five wickets for 21 runs. Annabel Sutherland was outstanding with her slowers, finishing with 5/40.
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