Alyssa Healy’s impressive display helped Australia Women defeat West Indies Women in the first semi-final by 157 runs at Wellington on March 30.
Australia stormed into the tournament decider with a dominant win over Windies in the first semi-final. Meg Lanning-led side now await the winner between England and South Africa, who will lock horns on March 31.
Healy was the star of the match with her blistering knock of 129 off 107 as her side posted 305/3 in a rain-curtailed 45 overs a side. Their bowlers produced a complete performance to restrict West Indies to 148 and claim a massive 157-run victory.
As it happened, the WI skipper Stefanie Taylor won the toss and elected to field first. Healy and Rachael Haynes started the Australian innings watchfully but changed gears after the 50-run opening stand.
Healy, who was 11* off 29 at one stage, blasted the Windies bowlers all over the park to complete her fourth ODI century in just 91 balls. Healy and Haynes put on a mammoth opening stand of 216 in 32.4 overs. The former’s spectacular knock of 129 included 17 fours and a six.
Haynes, who scored a terrific 85, missed out on her hundred due to a soft dismissal. Beth Mooney scored 43* off 31 while Meg Lanning added a run-a-ball 26 at the back end to take Australia past 300.
Chasing the target, the Windies lost the wickets at regular intervals. Deandra Dottin scored 34 off 35, while Hayley Matthews (34) added a 47-run stand for the third wicket with Stefanie Taylor, who later scored a gritty 48, but it just wasn’t enough.
Shamilia Connell and Anisa Mohammed were unable to bat due to health issues as West Indies’ innings ended on 148. Australia’s Jess Jonassen claimed 2/14 in her five overs while five other bowlers picked a wicket each.
Australia will be eyeing their sixth ODI World Cup crown in their ninth final appearance when they take the field at Christchurch on April 3.
Brief scores
Australia Women – 305/3 in 45 overs (Healy 129, Haynes 85; Henry 2/51) defeated West Indies Women – 148 in 37 overs (Taylor 48, Dottin 34; Jonassen 2/14, Schutt 1/8) by 157 runs.
