WWC 2022: Alyssa Healy hits century as Australia power into finals

WELLINGTON: On Wednesday, a double-century opening stand propelled tournament favourites Australia to a 157-run victory over the West Indies and a berth in the Women’s World Cup final.

Australia dominated their rain-shortened semi-final in Wellington from the start, thanks to a 216-run stand between seasoned openers Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes, the biggest of the tournament.

The West Indies, who were bowled out for 148 in the 37th over, never threatened a score of 305 for three off 45 overs.

Australia, the six-time champions, are undefeated in the 50-over event and will meet either South Africa or 2017 champions England in the final on Sunday in Christchurch.

Because of the foggy drizzle, play began over two hours late, and Healy, in particular, battled with timing in the early innings after Australia was sent in on a wet Basin Reserve ground.

As the sun came out, she sped, scoring 129 off 107 balls for her fourth one-day international century but falling four runs short of her career-best performance.

Against the spin-heavy Caribbean attack, the wicketkeeper-batswoman smashed 17 fours and a six.

Haynes encouraged her to be patient after she didn’t strike a boundary until the 12th over.

“I hope I’ve learned my lesson by now, that it doesn’t necessarily have to happen all at once,” Healy said. “I love batting with Rach, she’s a calming influence.”

Haynes scored 85 runs off 100 balls, with captain Meg Lanning (26) and Beth Mooney (43) scoring undefeated runs in the final overs.

The sixth-ranked West Indies had a dismal performance, as they were sloppy in the field, missing a few chances, and failed to gain momentum with the bat.

With top-order pair Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews both departing for 34, captain Stefanie Taylor was their best scorer with a prudent 48. However, she lacked help after top-order pair Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews both departed for 34.

Their chances were hampered by injuries to bowlers Chinelle Henry and Anisa Mohammed on the field, with neither able to bat, meaning Australia just needed to take eight wickets.

As Healy and Haynes established themselves, Taylor claimed her players were on the back foot from the start.

“A partnership like that deflates the team and, the pressure they applied, we couldn’t get over that,” she said.

“When you looked up, they were 100 without loss and all the dropped catches didn’t help us.”

Lanning was unconcerned that her team wasn’t being pushed to its limits.

“I’ve been involved in some very stressful semi-finals in the past and we came in expecting a very difficult game,” she said.

“The West Indies bowled well at the front and put us under pressure but it was a good game plan we had, to build a good base.”

In Christchurch on Thursday, the second semi-final pairs reigning champions England against second-placed South Africa, a rematch of the 2017 last-four thriller decided in the final over.

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