In a display of sheer dominance, Australia’s women’s cricket team has once again asserted its formidable presence on the global stage, comprehensively defeating Bangladesh by 10 wickets in Visakhapatnam. The victory, spearheaded by an outstanding second consecutive century from Alyssa Healy, not only underscores Australia`s unshakeable position as tournament favourites but also makes them the first team to secure a coveted spot in the semi-finals of the 2025 Women`s World Cup, with two league games still in hand. One might call it efficiency, or perhaps, simply, inevitability.
Bangladesh`s Moment of Defiance
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh faced the unenviable task of setting a competitive total against a side that rarely offers concessions. Despite losing opener Fargana Hoque early, a commendable start was orchestrated by Rubya Haider, whose 44 runs off 59 balls provided a much-needed foundation. Her innings, featuring eight boundaries, some admittedly benefiting from fortunate edges, demonstrated a spirit of intent. A dropped catch by Litchfield on 22 offered a momentary reprieve, allowing Haider to build a useful 41-run partnership with Sharmin Akhter.
At 73 for 1 in the 18th over, Bangladesh seemed poised to push towards a respectable total. However, the dismissal of Haider triggered a familiar narrative: a middle-order collapse under the relentless pressure of Australia’s spin attack. Ash Gardner, Alana King, and Georgia Wareham each claimed two wickets, meticulously dismantling Bangladesh’s progress. King, in particular, with her blend of drift and turn, proved exceedingly difficult to score against, stifling any attempts at acceleration.
Amidst the crumbling wickets, Sobhana Mostary emerged as a beacon of resilience. Having watched her teammates fall, Mostary shifted gears, taking the attack to the Australian bowlers in the company of the tailenders. Her unbeaten 66 runs, peppered with eight boundaries, not only pushed Bangladesh`s total to a more respectable 198 for 9 but also etched her name into the history books as the first Bangladeshi woman to score a half-century against Australia. A dropped catch and some rare missteps in line from the Australian bowlers certainly aided her cause, but her defiance was undeniable.
Healy and Litchfield: A Masterclass in Chase
With 199 runs required for victory, Australia`s openers, Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield, stepped onto the field with a clear objective. Healy, fresh from a century against India, initially took a measured approach, a brief period of calm before the storm. It wasn`t long, however, before she unleashed her formidable power, particularly against Fariha Trisna in the fifth over, cracking three boundaries that signaled her intent.
The partnership between Healy and Litchfield blossomed rapidly, reaching a century stand in just 83 balls. Both batters maintained a blistering pace, but it was Healy who truly seized control after registering their respective half-centuries. A dropped catch at short fine on 67 offered Bangladesh another fleeting hope, but Healy was in an unforgiving mood. She swept and slog-swept Shorna Akter for successive boundaries, a statement of absolute authority.
Boundaries flowed effortlessly thereafter, with Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, and Ritu Moni all bearing the brunt of Healy`s aggressive assault. Litchfield, playing a crucial supporting role, demonstrated her own class and composure, ultimately sealing the emphatic 10-wicket victory by powering two successive boundaries. The chase was completed in a mere 24.5 overs, a testament to Australia’s clinical efficiency and batting prowess.
Implications: A Message Sent
This commanding performance not only secures Australia`s place in the semi-finals but also sends an unequivocal message to every other contender in the tournament. With Healy in scintillating form and the entire squad firing on all cylinders, Australia appears to be peaking at precisely the right moment. The defending champions have once again demonstrated why they are the benchmark in women`s cricket, leaving rivals to ponder how to stem such an irresistible force.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh 198/9 in 50 overs (Sobhana Mostary 66*, Rubya Haider 44; Alana King 2-18, Georgia Wareham 2-22) lost to Australia 202 for no loss in 24.5 overs (Alyssa Healy 113*, Phoebe Litchfield 84*) by 10 wickets.
