Star Australian pacer Mitchell Starc was spotted in the stands at the DY Patil Stadium as he came to support for his wife Alyssa Healy and her team as they faced hosts India in the semi-final of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. Starc has made it a notable practice to attend all of Healy's knockout matches, provided he is not involved in a game himself. Starc was recently in action during the three-match ODI series against India, where he secured three wickets. Having retired from T20Is, his next major assignment will be the prestigious Ashes series, scheduled to commence on November 21 at the Optus Stadium.
Mitchell Starc cheers for Alyssa Healy in Women's World Cup semifinal
The relationship between the cricket power couple, who got engaged a decade ago and married in April 2016, is well-documented and historic. Starc and Healy are only the third married couple in cricket history to have both played Test matches, following in the footsteps of England's Roger and Ruth Prideaux (who played between the 1950s and 1970s) and Sri Lanka's Guy and Rasanjali de Alwis (who played in the 1980s and 1990s). Starc's commitment to supporting his wife was memorably showcased in March 2020 when he flew home early from an ODI series against South Africa just to watch Healy play in the final of the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where Australia defeated India in front of a record crowd in Melbourne.
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While Starc was present hoping to cheer on a classic Healy innings, she unfortunately departed early in the semi-final. Healy’s knock ended prematurely on just five runs off 15 deliveries when rookie bowler Kranti Gaud delivered a sharp nip-backer that the opener dragged onto her stumps. Despite the early dismissal, Starc’s continuous presence at these crucial matches underscores their strong bond and mutual support for each other's careers.
Phoebe Litchfield's ton powers Australia to big total
Australia rode on Phoebe Litchfield's towering ton post a massive total of 338. The foundation of this huge total was laid by opener Phoebe Litchfield, who cracked a blistering 93-ball 119 which was decorated with 17 fours and 3 sixes.
Litchfield anchored the Australian innings through a pivotal 155-run partnership for the second wicket alongside veteran Ellyse Perry. Perry provided crucial support, accumulating 77 runs off 88 deliveries, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes. Following their strong platform, Ashleigh Gardner then delivered a punishing late-innings assault on the Indian bowlers. She smashed 63 runs off a mere 45 balls, ensuring a massive total with a display of power hitting that featured 4 fours and 4 sixes.
The task now falls to India's batters, but their bowlers did manage to contain the damage late in the innings. For India, the wickets were shared, with Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma each managing to pluck two crucial wickets. India now faces a daunting chase to secure their place in the final.
India's Playing XI:
Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Radha Yadav, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur.
Australia's Playing XI:
Phoebe Litchfield, Alyssa Healy (captain), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt.