Australia’s victory over England in the Women’s World Cup further cemented their status as the world’s best international sports team. The Australians broke records in Christchurch on their way to adding the 50-over title to their T20 World Cup and Ashes titles.
Alyssa Healy hit an incredible 170 off 138 balls, the highest score in either a men’s or women’s World Cup final. Her 160-run partnership with Rachael Haynes, as well as Australia’s total of 356-5, are both women’s final bests, the latter, a record for any team against England. England, who were huge underdogs to defend their title from 2017, will be kicking themselves for opting to bat first in ideal batting conditions.
In the same over, they also used Healy and Haynes. Faced with such a massive chase, England lost wickets far too frequently to be in contention, but Nat Sciver batted with authority for her own century. Sciver was 148 not out when England were bowled out for 285, with spinners Alana King and Jess Jonassen each taking three wickets in Australia’s 71-run victory. Even in-form spinner and tournament leader Ecclestone (1/71) was costly, while Brunt (0/69), Sciver (0/65), Cross (0/65) and Dean (0/34) all went wicketless. Their bowlers were not helped by some sloppy fielding, with Sciver dropping Healy with the score on 95.
Healy went all out and was able to post her highest ODI score and the highest score by any man or woman in a World Cup final, which is such a great feat to accomplish. England did manage to pick up a few late wickets to mitigate the loss, but Healy’s big score ensured Australia had enough runs on the board.
It was a disappointing conclusion to England’s comeback, which saw them reach the final despite losing their first three games of the tournament. Meanwhile, Australia was crowned world champions for the seventh time with a perfect nine-match record.
England returns home this week after the longest tour in history, after more than 100 days of Covid-induced ‘safe living’. Players have four weeks off before returning home for the summer, which includes a Commonwealth Games Twenty20 tournament, which will be their next opportunity to compete against Australia.
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