Australia race to Women's World Cup semis as Alyssa Healy storm blows away Bangladesh

Alyssa Healy produced another masterclass as Australia advanced to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. On Thursday, October 16, Healy scored back-to-back centuries, leading the seven-time champions to a commanding 10-wicket victory over Nigar Sultana Joty’s Bangladesh at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

After setting the record for the highest successful run-chase in Women’s ODIs against India at the same venue, Australia easily chased down 199, finishing the game with 25.1 overs to spare. The win extended Australia’s unbeaten run and saw them reclaim the top spot on the points table. For Bangladesh, the result leaves them in a must-win position for their remaining matches to stay in contention.

After opting to bat first, Bangladesh got off to a steady start with a 32-run opening stand between Rubya Haider Jhelik and Fargana Hoque Pinky. Megan Schutt broke the partnership, dismissing Pinky, who managed just 8 off 24 balls. Jhelik survived a tough chance early on when Phoebe Litchfield dropped her in the slips and went on to score 44 off 59 balls, including eight fours, before Ash Gardner claimed her wicket.

Gardner soon added Sharmin Akter Supta to her tally, who scored 19 off 33. Alana King then picked up the prized wicket of Nigar Sultana Joty for 12, continuing the batter’s struggles in the tournament.



Shorna Akter, who recently recorded the fastest fifty by a Bangladeshi female batter, could only manage seven off 24 balls.

Sobhana Mostary, however, anchored the innings with her second fifty of the tournament, guiding the Tigresses to a total of 198 for nine. Mostary reached her fifty off 66 balls and remained unbeaten at 66 off 80 deliveries, hitting nine fours. Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, King, and Georgia Wareham shared the wickets, with each of the latter three taking two apiece.

The run-chase was utterly one-sided, with Australia completing the target in just 24.5 overs. Healy and Litchfield started cautiously, scoring 17 runs in the first four overs, but quickly accelerated and never looked back. The pair helped Australia record the fastest team 100 of the tournament, achieved in just 13.5 overs.

Healy reached her fifty off 43 balls, followed by Litchfield off 46. The duo’s 150-run partnership came up in 20.5 overs. Healy went on to score an unbeaten 113 off 77 balls, including 20 fours, while Litchfield supported with 84 off 72 balls.

For Bangladesh, Fariha Trisna, brought in for Marufa Akter, struggled, conceding 47 runs in 5.5 overs. Leg-spinner Fahima Khatun, impressive against England, also had a tough outing, finishing with an economy of 12. The loss left Bangladesh in seventh place on the points table.