Australia's Alyssa Healy smashes Indian bowlers to score a brilliant century

Visakhapatnam: Australian women cricket team skipper Alyssa Healy scored a brilliant ton, her first since 2022, against India in a vital match of World Cup on Sunday here at Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam.

Alyssa Healy’s fast hands were on display throughout the day as she made a marvelous 142 off just 107 balls.

Three sixes and 21 fours were included in her splendid ton.

Playing first, India have set a staggering 331 runs target to opponent while Australia made a history after chasing the biggest total of women ODI history.

Australia clinched the victory against India by three wickets even whole one over to spare.

Despite losing wickets at crucial stages, Australia held their nerve to secure the win.

The win sends Australia to the top of the points table with seven points from four matches, while India slip to third with four points from as many games, marking their second consecutive defeat of the tournament.

Alongside Healy, who starred with a blistering 142 off 107 deliveries, Ellyse Perry remained unbeaten on 47* and Ashleigh Gardner contributed 45 runs, playing key roles in guiding Australia home.

The Indian bowlers, Sree Charani impressed with figures of 3/41, while Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur picked up two wickets apiece.

India seemed back in the contest after striking twice in quick succession to remove Gardner and Sophie Molineux.

However, Perry, returning to the crease after a brief injury retirement, steadied the innings and ensured Australia completed the chase.

Earlier, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal set the tone with a record 150-run opening partnership, the highest against Australia in the tournament’s history.

Mandhana scored a scintillating 80 off 66 balls, including nine fours and six sixes, while Rawal contributed a solid 75 with 10 boundaries. Mandhana also became the youngest and fastest player to reach 5000 ODI runs in 112 innings.

The breakthrough came when Sophie Molineux dismissed Mandhana, followed by Annabel Sutherland removing Rawal.

India’s middle order collapsed from 294/5 to 330 all out, with Harmanpreet Kaur falling to Megan Schutt and Harleen Deol, who crossed 1000 ODI runs, dismissed by Molineux.

Annabel Sutherland starred with the ball for Australia, claiming a superb five-wicket haul (5/40), while Molineux added 3/75. Ashleigh Gardner and Megan Schutt chipped in with a wicket each.

India’s lower order tried to revive the innings, with Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues putting together a lively 50-run partnership.

However, once they departed, India could not recover.