The Australian dominance in women’s cricket is back. After winning the T20 World Cup 2022, Meg Lanning-side asserted their dominance in the ODI format as well with a 71-run win over England in the final. Alyssa Healy’s 170 followed by a clinical bowling display helped Australia become World Champion in the 50-over format for the record seventh time whereas Natalie Sciver’s unbeaten 148 went in vain.
Megan strikes twice
Chasing a mammoth target of 357, England lost the centurion of the semi-final -- Danielle Wyatt -- in the third over itself. Megan Schutt dominated with the new ball and got rid of both openers. Tammy Beaumont became her second victim inside the powerplay overs. Playing her maiden World Cup, Alana King got the prized wicket of skipper Heather Knight. Natalie kept the run chase alive single-handedly. She got to her half-century in the 22nd over.
Middle-order disappoints
While Natalie took on Aussie bowlers, she barely had support from England middle-order batters. Wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones and Sophia Dunkley got starts but could manage to score 20 and 22 respectively. Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone and Kate Cross registered single-digit scores which derailed the run chase.
Natalie's ton in vain
Somehow, Natalie kept defending champions England in the game and reached her century from 90 deliveries. Charlotte Dean played the perfect second fiddle and the ninth-wicket partnership kept Aussies on their toes. The required run rate was manageable too as Christchurch has been a batting paradise. Just when Natalie was about to shift to the highest gear, Ashleigh Gardener halted the momentum with the wicket of Charlotte Dean. The no.10 batter went for a reverse sweep but got caught by Jess Jonassen. Shrubsole went for the big shot in the next over and got caught by the mid-off fielder as England got all out for 285.
Natalie remained stranded on the other end. She scored 148 runs from 121 deliveries including 15 fours and one six. For Australia, Alana and Jess took three wickets each while Megan did the damage during first powerplay overs.
Healy domination
Earlier after winning the toss, Heather Knight won the toss and elected to field first. Alyssa Healy led from the front and made England regret their decision to bowl first. The wicketkeeper-batter and Rachael Haynes shared a 160-run opening partnership. Rachael got out in the 30th over. She scored 68 runs from 93 deliveries including seven boundaries. Sophie Ecclestone provided the breakthrough in her fifth over.
In the 35th over, Alyssa got to her century from 100 deliveries. Beth Mooney made full use of the platform laid by the openers. She scored 62 runs from 47 deliveries at a strike rate of 131.91. It was one-way traffic in the middle overs and death overs as Alyssa got to her 150 from just 29 more deliveries. Beth and Alyssa toyed with England bowlers. Veteran pacer Anya Shrubsole got the wicket of Alyssa in the 46th over but by then Australia had already crossed the 300-run mark. She scored 170 runs from 138 deliveries.
Strong finish
In the final five overs skipper Meg Lanning and all-rounder Ellyse Perry provided few quick runs to help Australia post 356/5. The highest wicket-taker of the tournament, Ecclestone conceded 71 runs from her 10 overs. Sciver, Kate Cross and Charlotte conceded at more than eight runs per over and remained wicketless.
Numbers game
Most runs at a Women's World Cup
509 Alyssa Healy AUS, 2022
497 Rachael Haynes AUS, 2022
456 Debbie Hockley NZ, 1997
448 Lindsay Reeler AUS, 1988
446 Debbie Hockley NZ, 1988
445 Belinda Clark AUS, 1997
436 Natalie Sciver ENG, 2022
433 Laura Wolvaardt SA, 2022
Most Women's World Cup centuries:
4 Natalie Sciver ENG (17 innings)
4 Suzie Bates NZ (26)
4 Charlotte Edwards ENG (28)
4 Jan Brittin ENG (35)
Highest women's ODI total in which the team didn't hit a six
412/3 AUS v DEN, 1997
356/5 AUS v ENG, today
335/4 NZ v NED, 2002
