The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai turned into a spectacle of power, precision, and partnerships as Australia Women posted a record-breaking 338 in 49.5 overs—the highest-ever total in a Women’s ODI World Cup semifinal. The innings, headlined by Phoebe Litchfield’s dazzling century and bolstered by clinical partnerships, showcased Australia’s batting depth and their ability to rise in crunch moments.
Alyssa Healy, having won the toss, opted to bat first on a flat surface offering true bounce. However, her stay was brief as she departed for 5 (15). With the score at 25-1, a familiar sense of balance took over when 22-year-old Phoebe Litchfield joined hands with veteran Ellyse Perry. What followed was a 155-run masterclass partnership that not only steadied the innings but also turned the early wobble into complete dominance.
Litchfield was the star of the show, scoring a glorious 119 off 93 balls. Her innings included 17 fours and 3 sixes, blending power with timing in equal measure. From crisp drives through extra cover to lofted strokes over mid-off, she displayed the full array of her technical brilliance. Her running between wickets, paired with Perry’s calm presence, frustrated Indian bowlers who struggled to maintain control.
Ellyse Perry, too, played a gem of an innings. Mixing aggression with control, she scored 77 off 88 balls, striking six boundaries and two sixes. Their stand of 155 runs came at a brisk pace, dismantling any plans India’s bowlers had as Australia reached 180 within 28 overs. Beth Mooney chipped in with 24 off 22, and when Perry departed, the score read 243-5, and the foundation for a massive total was firmly set. However, the middle order kept attacking despite wickets tumbling.
Ashleigh Gardner’s fiery 63 off just 45 balls was the perfect powerplay towards the back end including four boundaries and four sixes lighting up the Navi Mumbai evening. Batting alongside Kim Garth, their 66-run partnership off only 41 balls pushed Australia into record territory. Australia did not slow down, reaching the monumental total of 338 before getting bowled out one ball short of 50 overs.
For India, Deepti Sharma and Shree Charani took two wickets each, while Kranti Gaud, Radha Yadav and Amanjot Kaur picked up one apiece. However, the discipline of Australia’s batting left little to exploit.
Australia’s innings was built on structure, experience, and youthful exuberance. Litchfield setting the tone, Perry providing partnership strength, and Gardner sealing the flourish. As the teams walked off for the innings break, the scoreboard at DY Patil read 338, a record-breaking number that now stands as the highest semifinal total in Women’s ODI World Cup history, testament to Australia’s batting might and Litchfield’s coming of age performance on the world stage.
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