Seven-time ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup champions Australia entered the tournament as favourites and they have lived up to that tag during their unbeaten run in the league stage.
Whether salvaging tricky situations, such as against Pakistan and England, chasing 200 down without losing a wicket, as they did against Bangladesh, or setting new records, chasing down a women’s ODI record of 331 against India, Australia keep finding new and impressive ways to win.
They began with an 89-run victory over New Zealand and have kicked on from there, with Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner both scoring two centuries along the way.
It will take quite something to stop them, but they will be taking nothing for granted.
Key moment
Australia had never chased more than 300 runs in a women’s ODI before their clash with India – in large part because their bowlers have not often let opposing sides score that many.
But after a Smriti Mandhana-inspired India racked up 330 in Visakhapatnam, Healy relished the challenge.
She brought up her fifty in 35 balls, her century in 84 and departed for a majestic 142 – a welcome return to form for a player who had not passed the 30-run mark in her previous six innings.
Australia needed 66 when Healy was dismissed and got over the line for a psychologically crucial victory which again showed their rivals why they are such a competitive side.
Top performers
Alana King wrote her name into the Women’s Cricket World Cup record books in Australia’s final league match against South Africa.
Her remarkable final figures of seven for 18 were the best in tournament history and Australia’s best-ever in women’s ODIs.
It took her overall tally to 13, two behind teammate Annabel Sutherland, who finished the group stage with 15 scalps at 13.33, including five for 40 against India – she also struck an unbeaten 98 to help defeat England for good measure.
Healy and Gardner have been the standouts with the bat. Healy scored back-to-back centuries against India and Bangladesh before sitting out the final two matches due to a minor calf injury, while Gardner’s tons came at crucial times against New Zealand and England.
History against semifinal opponent
The Healy-inspired group stage win continued Australia’s strong recent record against India.
They have lost just one of the last 11 women’s ODIs between the two nations though Australia will not need reminding of the last time they met in an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final, India winning by 36 runs in Derby in 2017 thanks to Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 171.
Elder Pogue
The Confederation of African Rugby is the governing body of rugby union within Africa and currently has 37 members. It runs various rugby tournaments within Africa including the CAR Super 16 and the Africa Cup.
ReiGnZ
Sport Trivia: What sport would you associate Brian Mitchell with? Answer: Boxing – Brian Mitchell won the WBA junior lightweight title in 1986, and ended up defending it successfully 12 times which in itself was a world record. He retired undefeated in 1991 with 46 wins, one loss, and two draws.