Australia storms into Women’s World Cup semi-finals as Alyssa Healy dominates Bangladesh

Australia Storms into Women’s World Cup Semis with Dominant Win Over Bangladesh.

Alyssa Healy delivered another stellar performance as Australia secured their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. On Thursday, October 16, Healy scored her second consecutive century, steering the seven-time champions to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over Nigar Sultana Joty’s Bangladesh at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

After setting the record for the highest successful chase in Women’s ODIs against India at the same venue, Australia made light work of Bangladesh’s 199, finishing the chase with 25.1 overs to spare. The win extended Australia’s unbeaten streak and reinstated them at the top of the points table. For Bangladesh, the defeat leaves them needing victories in their remaining games to stay in the tournament.

Mostary Holds Bangladesh Together
Batting first, Bangladesh got off to a cautious start with a 32-run opening stand between Rubya Haider Jhelik and Fargana Hoque Pinky. Megan Schutt broke the partnership by dismissing Pinky for 8 off 24 balls. Jhelik survived an early chance when Phoebe Litchfield dropped her at slip and went on to score 44 off 59 balls, including eight boundaries, before Ash Gardner claimed her wicket.

Gardner also dismissed Sharmin Akter Supta for 19 off 33, while Alana King removed Nigar Sultana Joty for 12, continuing the batter’s struggles in the tournament. Shorna Akter, who had recorded the fastest fifty by a Bangladeshi female batter recently, managed just 7 off 24 balls.

Sobhana Mostary, however, anchored the innings with her second fifty of the tournament, remaining unbeaten at 66 off 80 balls with nine fours. Her efforts guided Bangladesh to a total of 198 for nine. Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, and Georgia Wareham shared the wickets, with the latter three taking two each.

Healy and Litchfield Lead One-Sided Chase
Australia’s chase was dominant from the start. Healy and Phoebe Litchfield began cautiously, scoring 17 runs in the first four overs, before accelerating and never looking back. The pair recorded the fastest team 100 of the tournament in just 13.5 overs.

Healy reached her fifty off 43 balls, followed by Litchfield off 46, with their partnership of 150 runs coming up in 20.5 overs. Healy went on to finish unbeaten on 113 off 77 balls with 20 fours, while Litchfield contributed 84 off 72 balls.

For Bangladesh, Fariha Trisna, brought in for Marufa Akter, conceded 47 runs in 5.5 overs, and leg-spinner Fahima Khatun also had a difficult outing, finishing with an economy of 12. The loss left Bangladesh in seventh place on the points table, needing wins in their remaining matches to have a chance at the semis.