Captain Alyssa Healy’s breathtaking 142 off 107 balls and Annabel Sutherland’s five-wicket haul powered Australia to a stunning three-wicket win over India in a high-scoring Women’s World Cup clash in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
The defending champions chased down India’s 330 with six balls to spare — their highest successful chase in ODIs — as Ellyse Perry (47* off 52) sealed the win with a six.
Healy Leads From The Front
Healy, who smashed 21 fours and three sixes, recorded her third World Cup century and sixth ODI ton overall — the highest-ever score by a batter against India in women’s ODIs. She shared vital stands with Phoebe Litchfield (40), Ashleigh Gardner (45) and Perry, steering Australia through despite cramp concerns.
Great result — we’ll take those two points. To chase down 330 in a 50-over game is new territory for us. Knowing we needed a quick start, we were able to maintain the run rate, and that was cool.
Sutherland Turns It Around With Five-Wicket Burst
Earlier, Annabel Sutherland’s brilliant 5–40 triggered a collapse after India’s blazing start. Smriti Mandhana (80 off 67) and Pratika Rawal (75 off 96) put up a record 155-run opening stand — India’s best against Australia — as the hosts raced to 192/1 in 30 overs.
But from a position of dominance, India lost nine wickets for 138 runs, including six for just 36 in the final overs.
She was probably the pick of our bowlers. She identified the right lengths and executed perfectly. There was some junk bowling from others, but we were able to hang in there.
Harman Rues Missed Opportunity
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted her side fell short despite a strong start. “We could have added 30–40 more runs,” she said. “We missed out in the last six overs, and that cost us. Our openers were outstanding, but the lower order couldn’t finish it off this time.”
The skipper also praised young spinner N Shree Charani, whose 3–41 nearly pulled India back into the contest.
She’s been outstanding. Even when Healy was batting, she didn’t give anything easily. We have a lot of hope from her.
Late Fightback In Vain
India’s bowlers did threaten late on. Charani dismissed Healy with a stunning catch from Sneh Rana, while Deepti Sharma (2–52) and Amanjot Kaur (2–68) picked up quick wickets as Australia slipped from 265/3 to 303/7. But a returning Perry, battling cramps, held her nerve alongside Kim Garth (14*), ensuring the Aussies crossed the line.
There are cramp worms going around our group. But we’ve got a few days to rest and recover.
Brief Scores: India 330 all out in 48.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80, Pratika Rawal 75; Annabel Sutherland 5-40, Sophie Molineux 3-75) lost to Australia 331/7 in 49 overs (Alyssa Healy 142, Ellyse Perry 47 not out, Ashleigh Gardner 45; N Shree Gharani 3-41, Amanjot Kaur 2-68, Deepti Sharma 2-52) by three wickets.
