Healy’s masterful century guides Australia past Bangladesh into semi-finals

Friday, 17 October 2025 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup

Alyssa Healy’s masterful century led Australia to a 10-wicket win over Bangladesh at Visakhapatnam yesterday, which sealed the reigning champions’ place in the knockout stages of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

Australia’s Captain made it back-to-back World Cup hundreds with an unbeaten 113 (off 77 balls, 20 fours) as she and Phoebe Litchfield, who made an unbeaten 84 (off 72 balls, 12 fours, 1 six), chased down the target of 199 in just 24.5 overs.

Healy and Litchfield’s exploits saw Australia retake the top spot in the group stage table and also break the record for the highest successful ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup chase without losing a wicket.

A collective bowling effort from the seven-time champions, led by Player of the Match Alana King (2/18), had earlier restricted Bangladesh to 198, who found themselves 165-9 having slipped from 127-4.

Fargana Hoque got Bangladesh’s innings off to a good start after they won the toss and chose to bat, as the openers put on 32 for the first wicket.

Megan Schutt (1/11) and Darcie Brown bowled well and saw the ball regularly fly through the slip cordon with Rubya Haider dropped on 22 by Litchfield. She was dropped again the very next ball – this time by Healy – but kicked on after that with back-to-back fours at Annabel Sutherland’s expense in the 16th over, taking her to 40 and the score to 67-1. But the 28-year-old fell on 44 shortly after as she could only find Tahlia McGrath at mid-on.

From there, the Australian bowlers turned the screws. Resistance came in the form of Sobhana Mostary, who played brilliantly for her unbeaten 66 off 80 balls (9 fours). However, Australia’s opening batters made light work of their chase.

Scores:

Bangladesh Women 198-9 (50) (Sobhana Mostary 66*, Rubya Haider 44, Ashley Leigh 2/48, Annabel Sutherland 2/41, Alana King 2/18, Georgia Wareham 2/22)

Australia Women 202-0 (24.5) (Alyssa Healy 113*, Phoebe Litchfield 84*)