ICC Women's World Cup: Australia beat India, qualify for semi-finals
Australia have reached the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Cup after beating India at Eden Park, Auckland. Skipper Meg Lanning led from the front as Australia went on to chase 278. Openers Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy shared a century stand. Earlier, Harmanpreet Kaur starred for India with an unbeaten 57. Australia have completed the highest successful run-chase in the Women's WC history.
How did the match pan out?
India amassed 277/7 after Australia opted to bowl. While Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma departed early, the likes of Yastika Bhatia, Mithali Raj, and Harmanpreet Kaur scored half-centuries. A valuable 34 from Pooja Vastrakar helped India finish well. Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy laid the foundation for Australia's victory with a century stand (121). Skipper Meg Lanning's magnificent 97 made Australia's job easy.
Highest successful run-chase at Women's World Cup
Australia registered the highest successful run-chase in the history of the ICC Women's World Cup. Notably, the previous record was also held by Australia, who chased down 258 against Sri Lanka in 2017. Australia won their fifth consecutive match of the ongoing Women's World Cup. They top the points table after defeating England, Pakistan, New Zealand, West Indies, and India.
Second woman to feature in 200 ODIs
Indian pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami earned her 200th ODI cap. She became only the second woman to play 200 or more One-Day Internationals. Her compatriot Mithali Raj is the only other woman to have achieved this feat (230 ODIs). Goswami remains the only woman to have taken over 200 wickets in ODI cricket. She touched the 250-wicket mark in the previous match (against England).
Harmanpreet shines again!
Indian batter Harmanpreet Kaur has been on a roll in the ongoing World Cup. She slammed her third 50+ score in this year's edition. The middle-order batter registered 71 against NZ Women and 109 against WI Women. Against Australia, she raced to her 15th half-century in ODI cricket. Interestingly, Harmanpreet recorded just three 50+ scores from 27 innings between 2017 and 2022 (before WC).
Biggest six of the 2022 Women's WC
Pooja Vastrakar showed her finishing skills against Australia. She scored 34 (28) with the help of 1 four and 2 sixes. Her massive strike against Megan Schutt in the 49th over grabbed eyeballs. Pooja clubbed an 81-meter six, the biggest of the ongoing tournament.
Lanning leads from the front
Meg Lanning played another captain's knock, this time against India. Australia lost two wickets in quick succession after the 20th over. Lanning added over 100 runs with Ellyse Perry thereafter, propelling Australia to victory. The former registered her second 50+ score in 2022 World Cup. Lanning smashed an unbeaten 97 off 107 deliveries with the help of 13 boundaries.
Highest batting average in run-chases (ODIs)
Lanning now has the highest batting average in ODI run-chases (63.76). Indian captain Mithali Raj follows Lanning on the list with an average of 63.24. The Australian skipper has 2,423 runs from 52 innings (run-chases in ODIs).
