The blockbuster match between India and Australia in Vizag on 12 October was a spectacle witnessed by over 15,000 fans in the stadium and millions across the world, showcasing the finest moments of women’s ODI cricket.
Winning the toss, Australia opted to bowl first, putting India’s batting lineup under pressure. However, India responded with an impressive total of 330 runs, setting a challenging target for the Australian side. The chase looked demanding, but Australia’s captain and opener, Alyssa Healy, rose to the occasion with a phenomenal performance.
Healy’s knock was a masterclass in aggression and timing. She hammered 142 runs from just 107 deliveries, lacing the boundary ropes with 21 fours and 3 sky-scraping sixes. This inning was her first ODI century after 2022, her second against India, and third century at ODI World Cups.
The innings became all the more special because Healy’s 142 runs became the highest single score in a successful chase against India in ODI cricket. It is also the top individual score in the current World Cup so far, which further reflected her excellent batting display on the biggest stage.
Australia’s pursuit was structured upon significant partnerships, both demonstrating resilience as well as strategic batting. Healy initially with her opening partner Litchfield constructed an 85-run partnership that laid a strong foundation.
Subsequently, her partnerships with Elysse Perry (69 runs) and Ash Gardner (95 runs) chipped in with much-needed momentum to the innings. All the partnerships were crucial, rotating the strike and keeping up a brisk scoring rate, making the target of 331 seem within reach.
Healy’s ability to maintain a strike rate of 132.71, staying aggressive and composed under pressure was key to Australia crossing the finish line. Her leadership from the front with such a sensational batting display set the tone for the chasing innings and ultimately helped Australia secure a memorable victory over a strong Indian side.
Not only did this game showcase the excellence of women’s ODI cricket but also cemented Alyssa Healy as being among the best in the world. The Vizag public saw history being made in front of them through a battle-hardened game that had skill, emotion, and spine-tingling cricket moments.
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