Healy Fires a Second Hundred to Propel the Australian Team into World Cup Final Four
The Australian skipper has executed brilliant back-to-back centuries to steer her team into the last four of the World Cup, motivating them to a merciless 10-wicket victory over their opponents.
The wicketkeeper-batter finished unbeaten on 113, coming just a few days after her equally stellar 142 that saw off hosts India at the same Vizag stadium. This time, she shared an undefeated double-century first-wicket stand with Phoebe Litchfield (84no) to dash to their goal of 199 runs in just 24.5 overs.
âI felt I was a little bit poor with the gloves, and probably a little bit as skipper as well today, but weâll accept the win and move on,â she said.
Ironically, the utmost professionalism of the day's chase as the pair added 202 came after possibly Australiaâs poorest performance in the field under the captain's stewardship, with the captain criticizing herself in particular for dropping a couple of the six chances that went down.
âI felt somewhat let down with my glovework, and I needed to compensate with the batting, and fortunately succeeded,â Healy continued.
From the time statistics was first taken on fielding statistics in the year 2013, the half-dozen missed opportunities represented the team's poorest fielding display at a World Cup tournament.
âPerhaps itâs just that time of the competition â weâve been here a little while, and itâs something weâll analyze,â Healy commented.
It helped Bangladesh to manage 198 for 9 after they had chosen to bat, their best-ever score in an ODI against the Aussies, with Sobhana Mostary scoring the first fifty ever for the Bangladeshi team against the world champions.
But Alana King mesmeric continuous 10-over bowling performance, in which she took two wickets for 18 runs with four maiden overs, was vital to making sure the team's chase wasnât too challenging.
The Captain Pleased with Win that Confirms Knockout Place
The Australian skipper was pleased to learn that the triumph, which puts her undefeated team top of the group table on nine points after four wins and a abandoned match, secures them a place in the semi-finals. âThatâs really cool,â she exclaimed.
The experienced captain raced to her hundred off just 73 balls, the quickest hundred of the World Cup, and ended with 20 fours off the 77 balls she confronted as she pulled away from her partner in the latter stages in the knock after they had gone almost shot for shot towards their half-centuries.
Litchfield Shines with Maiden World Cup Fifty
Left-hander Litchfield hit 12 fours and a six, getting to her first World Cup fifty off 46 deliveries shortly after Healy reached hers off 43 balls. They went on to achieve the third-best partnership by any Australian pair at a Womenâs World Cup.
Earlier, during the subpar fielding effort, the captain dropped the easiest of chances off a teammate and also was unable to hold on to a difficult skied one off Annabel Sutherland. Annoyingly, she also take a clear catch off the same bowler but didnât have it reviewed when the official turned down their shout.
The reinstated Brown sent down the fastest balls at the tournament so far but was nonetheless the Aussiesâ most expensive bowling option, conceding 0-52 off her nine overs.
Spin Attack Excel as Alana King Stars
Instead, the slow bowlers excelled, led by King, whose spell could have been even more productive if a fielder hadnât missed one in the slip cordon.
Fellow spinners Georgia Wareham (two for 22 off seven) and Gardner (2-48 off nine) both contributed, while Sutherland strengthened her position as the competition's top wicket-taker with her 2-41, bringing her tally to 13.
A batter's 44 and Mostaryâs unbeaten 66 off 80 deliveries took Bangladesh to their highest-ever score against the Australians, but the total was made to look straightforward by a side who had successfully pursued 330 runs against India four days before.
âIt's fantastic when youâve got the âQâ next to your name in a World Cup,â said star performer King. âNo doubt it doesnât stop here. We look forward to returning to the next venue to take on England and South Africa.â