Healy smashes 170 runs and Australia lifts Women’s World Cup

By Kersi Meher-Homji

Australia’s consistent opener Alyssa Healy’s monumental innings of 170 in the Women’s World Cup final at Christchurch on Sunday was one of the most awe-inspiring innings I have witnessed. She hit 26 ferocious fours. England bowlers just did not know where to pitch the ball at Healy. Her spectacular innings was cheered by all present including by Test cricketer Mitchell Starc, her husband.

She added 160 runs for the first wicket with Rachael Haynes (68 runs with 7 fours) and 156 for the second wicket with Beth Mooney (62 with 8 fours). At one stage Australia was 316 runs for the loss of only one wicket.

Australia totaled 5 for 356 at a fantastic run-rate of 7.12 per over.

Needing 357 runs for an unlikely win England lost their first two wickets for only 38 runs. They were rescued by middle order batter Nat Sciver who belted an unbeaten 148 with 15 fours and a six. But it was not enough as England was bowled out for 285 runs.

The wicket takers for Australia were leg-spinner Alana King and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen who took three wickets each.

Australia won by 71 runs to lift the World Cup for the seventh time.

Healy was adjudged Person of the Match as also Person of the 2022 World Cup. Her 170 runs is the highest score in a World Cup final – men’s or women’s. Previously this record was held by Australia’s Adam Gilchrist; 149 runs against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup.

Healy said at the presentation, “Not sunk in yet. Special game of cricket, very high scoring. It is something we have been working towards for a long period of time. To get over the line was pretty cool. The job was half done, we knew we had a good total. But we knew England’s line-up was peaking at the right time. The bowlers held their nerves.

“Nat Sciver played a special knock, almost got them over the line. It was nice to get out there and put up a good total on board. Proud of the batting group and our whole group. I think everyone has worked very hard for this. It has been a five-year wait for a title people said we would have had. Will reflect on the three months that we have had.”

Congrats to Healy, to Australia who won all nine matches in this World Cup and to the New Zealand Cricket Board who organised the World Cup so efficiently.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley congratulated the team on its achievements, saying:

“Congratulations to Australia’s skipper Meg Lanning, the coach Matthew Mott and the whole team for their superb performance throughout this tournament and over the entire season.
We are incredibly proud of the way they play the game and their achievements. The players are exceptional role models for kids around the country.

“To win every game in a World Cup is a rare feat in any sport and is testimony to the team’s talents, work ethic, teamwork and strength in depth. This tournament has been played in fantastic spirit and the cricket has been exceptional. Congratulations to all the teams involved and particularly also to England for making it through to the final and to Alyssa Healy on her player of the final and tournament awards.

“Our thanks to the ICC, New Zealand Cricket, the Local Organising Committee and the NZ Government for organising such a successful tournament.”

TIDU congratulates the Australian women’s cricket team, especially Alyssa Healy.

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