Australia crushes Bangladesh to secure Women’s World Cup semi-final spot, Alyssa Healy shines

Alyssa Healy Leads Australia into Women’s World Cup Semi-Finals with Dominant Win Over Bangladesh.

Alyssa Healy starred once again as Australia stormed into the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. On Thursday, October 16, Healy scored her second consecutive century, guiding the seven-time champions to a commanding 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana Joty, at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

After setting the record for the highest successful chase in Women’s ODIs against India at the same venue, Australia chased down 199 comfortably, finishing with 25.1 overs to spare. The win extended Australia’s unbeaten streak and reclaimed their spot at the top of the points table, while Bangladesh now face a must-win scenario in their remaining matches to stay in contention.

Mostary Anchors Bangladesh Innings
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh began steadily with a 32-run opening stand between Rubya Haider Jhelik and Fargana Hoque Pinky. Megan Schutt broke the partnership, dismissing Pinky for 8 off 24 balls. Jhelik survived an early drop by Phoebe Litchfield and scored 44 off 59 balls before Ash Gardner got her out.

Gardner also dismissed Sharmin Akter Supta for 19, while Alana King removed Nigar Sultana Joty for 12, continuing the batter’s struggles in the tournament. Shorna Akter, who recently became the fastest Bangladeshi female to score a fifty, managed just 7 off 24 balls.

Sobhana Mostary was the standout for Bangladesh, scoring an unbeaten 66 off 80 balls, hitting nine boundaries. She provided some stability, guiding Bangladesh to 198 for nine. Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, King, and Georgia Wareham shared the wickets, with Sutherland, King, and Wareham taking two each.

Australia Chase Made Easy by Healy and Litchfield
Australia’s chase was one-sided. Healy and Phoebe Litchfield began cautiously, scoring 17 runs in the first four overs before accelerating. The duo recorded the fastest team 100 of the tournament in just 13.5 overs. Healy reached her fifty off 43 balls, while Litchfield got there off 46 balls. Their 150-run partnership came up in 20.5 overs. Healy remained unbeaten on 113 off 77 balls, including 20 fours, while Litchfield contributed 84 off 72 balls.

Bangladesh bowlers struggled, with Fariha Trisna conceding 47 runs in 5.5 overs and leg-spinner Fahima Khatun finishing with an economy of 12. The defeat left Bangladesh in seventh place on the points table, with their semi-final hopes now hanging by a thread.