Australia Pulls Off Record Chase to Beat India in Women’s World Cup
Visakhapatnam: Skipper Alyssa Healy led from the front with a masterful 142 as Australia pulled off a record chase of 331 to beat India by three wickets in their Women’s World Cup group match, here on Sunday.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana became the first player in women’s ODIs to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year as India piled up 330 after Australia opted to bowl.
In pursuit of the highest target ever successfully chased in women’s ODI history, Healy set the tone with her sixth career hundred and first as captain, reaching the milestone off 84 balls. It was also her first ODI century since 2022.
Her brilliant innings finally ended on 142 off 107 balls, including 21 fours and 3 sixes, when Sneh Rana pulled off a stunning one-handed catch diving forward at backward point to give India hope at 276/5.
However, experienced all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who had earlier retired hurt after pulling up at the end of the 24th over, returned to steer her side home with an unbeaten 47 off 52 balls, featuring 5 fours and 1 six.
Australia completed the chase in 49 overs, with one over to spare.
Earlier, from 294/4, India lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs in seven overs. Annabel Sutherland ran through the lower order, claiming her maiden five-wicket haul with figures of 5/40 in 9.5 overs. Sophie Molineux provided valuable support with 3/75 as India were bowled out in 48.5 overs.
