Defending champions Australia have secured their place in the Women’s World Cup knockouts with a commanding ten-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The triumph was powered by captain Alyssa Healy’s remarkable performance, scoring her second consecutive century in the tournament.
Chasing a target of 199 runs, Healy and opening partner Phoebe Litchfield combined for an unbeaten 202-run stand, sealing the win in just 24.5 overs. Healy’s century came off just 73 balls, marking the second-fastest hundred in World Cup history, as she finished on 113* from 77 deliveries. Litchfield supported with an impressive 84 not out from 72 balls.
Bangladesh’s Effort and Australia’s Bowling Prowess
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh posted their highest ODI total against Australia, reaching 9-198 after captain Sultana Joty opted to bat first. Opener Rubya Haider contributed with a 59-ball 44, while Sobhana Mostary anchored the innings with an unbeaten 66 from 80 deliveries, her second half-century of the tournament.
However, the Tigresses’ innings faltered as they collapsed from 1-73 to 9-165, largely due to Australia’s spin attack. Leg spinner Alana King was named player of the match, taking 2-18 from ten overs, including four maidens. King commented on the conditions, stating,
“There has been a bit of spin here and length is key. We were punished against India a little bit, so we wanted to bowl to our strengths. Really happy to keep them to a reasonable score today and play my part.”
Supporting King, fellow spinners Ash Gardner and Georgia Wareham also claimed two wickets each, while all-rounder Annabel Sutherland further solidified her position as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with two scalps.
Fielding Concerns Amidst Victory
Despite the victory, Australia’s fielding performance was not without flaws. The team dropped six catches, with wicketkeeper Healy responsible for two of them. Additionally, a missed review opportunity denied seamer Darcie Brown a wicket, marking Australia’s worst fielding performance in a World Cup match since data collection began in 2013.
Healy admitted to her shortcomings, stating,
“I thought I was a little bit poor behind the stumps, and probably a little bit as skipper as well tonight, but we’ll take the two points and move on.”
She added, “I was a little bit disappointed with my glovework and I had a little bit to make up for with the bat, and luckily got the job done.”
Healy’s Historic Feat and Future Challenges
Healy’s consecutive centuries in World Cups is a rare achievement, having previously accomplished the feat during the 2022 campaign in New Zealand. Her partnership with Litchfield in this match stands as Australia’s fifth-highest opening partnership in women’s ODI history, ensuring their qualification for the knockouts with two matches still to play.
Alana King praised Healy’s determination, saying,
“(It’s) just incredible to see what she’s done. First of all, to do it against India, it was massive and she was pretty bloody determined to do so. But then to not let the foot off the throat and do it again tonight, just shows where her mindset’s at.”
Australia’s next challenge will be against the unbeaten England in Indore on Wednesday. King expressed the team’s readiness, stating,
“It’s always nice when you’ve got the ‘Q’ next to your name in a World Cup. No doubt it doesn’t stop here. We look forward to going back to Indore to take on England and South Africa.”
As the tournament progresses, Australia’s blend of batting prowess and strategic bowling positions them as formidable contenders for the title, with Healy’s leadership and form proving pivotal in their campaign.
