Christchurch: Australia won their seventh ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup with a 71-run victory over England on Sunday.
Alyssa Healy’s staggering innings of 170 saw Australia put on 356 for five as England’s bowlers had no answer to a batting masterclass, Anya Shrubsole’s three for 46 the only highlight for the defending champions.
Nat Sciver once again steered England’s reply by battling to her highest score in international cricket with 148 not out, but it proved in vain after Shrubsole was dismissed to hand Australia the trophy once more.
Having been put in to bat in the bright Hagley Oval sunshine, Australia were measured in the powerplay, taking 37 off the seam attack of Katherine Brunt, Shrubsole and Nat Sciver.
But the introduction of spin in the form of Charlie Dean proved Healy and Rachael Haynes’ cue to start finding the boundary regularly.
England’s fielding errors – that had started in their opening group game against the same opponent -re-emerged as Haynes was dropped on 47 before Healy was put down on 41 in the same Kate Cross over.
As against the West Indies in the semi-final, Haynes’ half-century came first – off 69 balls – before Healy’s was brought up off 62 as they eased their way to the highest opening partnership in a World Cup final.
Even as Dean continued to be targeted, spin made the breakthrough as Sophie Ecclestone took her 21st and final wicket of the tournament to dismiss Haynes for 68, Tammy Beaumont holding on to a mistimed shot as Haynes ended the World Cup on 497 runs.
The partnership had ended on 160 runs, but Healy built a new one with Beth Mooney who was promoted up the order from five.
But first Healy became only the second woman to score a hundred in a World Cup final, going at a run a ball as she became the only player to score two centuries in the knockout stage of a World Cup.
And she then surpassed the highest score in a Women’s World Cup final as she moved to 111 with a four off Cross.
