ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: Australia brush aside West Indies to storm into record 7th final

Australia dished out a comprehensive performance in the rain-affected first semi-final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 against the West Indies to storm into their record seventh final in Wellington on Wednesday.

The West Indies suffered a crushing 157-run defeat at the hands of Australia as the Meg Lanning-led side became the first team to reach the summit clash.

Alyssa Healy and Haynes helped Australia post a stiff 305/3 in a match reduced to 45 overs per side due to rain and then the West Indies were bowled out for 157. Healy was declared player of the match for her impactful and match-winning hundred in the first semi-final.

It was a scintillating partnership from Healy and Haynes, as the duo dined out on some poor West Indies’ bowling and some even sloppier fielding to put on the third-highest opening stand in Australia’s WODI history.

Healy actually took some time to get used to the overcast conditions at the ground, with Haynes looking more assured early as Australia put on just 37 from their opening nine-over Powerplay period.

Shamilia Connell (1/45) finally made the breakthrough when she had Healy caught in the deep in the 33rd over, as the attention turned to Haynes to see if she could reach her own three-figure milestone.