In a commanding display, Alyssa Healy`s explosive century and a disciplined bowling effort led by Alana King and Georgia Wareham secured Australia a resounding 10-wicket victory over Bangladesh. This dominant performance not only showcased Australia`s prowess but also guaranteed their progression to the semi-finals of the ICC Women`s World Cup 2025/26.
Australia 202 for 0 (Healy 113*, Litchfield 84*) comprehensively defeated Bangladesh 198 for 9 (Mostary 66*, Haider 44, King 2-18, Wareham 2-22) by 10 wickets.
The defending champions, Australia, extended their unbeaten streak in this World Cup edition with a convincing win against Bangladesh in Visakhapatnam. Alyssa Healy, in sensational form, smashed her second consecutive century, remaining undefeated on 113 runs off just 77 deliveries. She was brilliantly supported by Phoebe Litchfield, who contributed an unbeaten 84, as the opening pair effortlessly chased down Bangladesh`s target.
Australia`s spin attack proved crucial in restricting Bangladesh to a total of 198 for 9. Alana King delivered an exceptional spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 18 from her ten overs, which included four maidens. Complementing her efforts, fellow leg-spinner Georgia Wareham also impressed with 2 for 22 from seven overs.
Despite a few uncharacteristic fielding errors, including six dropped catches and a missed appeal, Australia maintained firm control of the match. Bangladesh`s innings saw a resilient performance from Sobhana Mostary, who recorded a spirited 66 not out. Rubya Haider also added a valuable 44 runs, but the overall total proved insufficient against the formidable Australian batting lineup.
Healy Leads Record-Breaking Chase
Healy`s century was a testament to her current excellent form, following her 142 against India at the same venue. This 10-wicket triumph now stands as the highest successful run chase without losing a wicket in a Women`s World Cup match, and the second-highest in all women`s ODIs. Healy sealed her innings with three consecutive fours off Ritu Moni, while Litchfield concluded the chase with back-to-back boundaries in the very next over, reaching the target with 25.1 overs to spare.
Initially, the Australian openers took a moment to settle into their rhythm, facing a maiden over from Fariha Trisna and a tight first over from Nishita Akter Nishi. However, once Healy and Litchfield found their stride, they accelerated rapidly, reaching 78 without loss by the end of the first powerplay. Litchfield displayed particular aggression early on, manipulating the crease and bringing up her fifty off just 46 balls, shortly after Healy reached her own half-century off 43 deliveries.
Bangladesh had a couple of fleeting opportunities to break the dominant partnership. Rubya, keeping wickets, fumbled a stumping chance against Litchfield when she was on 46. Healy also received a stroke of luck when her top-edged sweep off Shorna Akter was dropped at short fine leg.
Bangladesh`s Innings and Australian Bowling Dominance
Earlier in the match, King and Wareham effectively stifled Bangladesh`s scoring opportunities despite Mostary`s commendable resilience. Mostary`s 66 not out was her second half-century in ODIs and her second of this World Cup, contributing significantly to Bangladesh`s highest ODI total against Australia.
Rubya Haider`s 44 runs were vital for Bangladesh, though she too benefited from Australia`s fielding lapses, being dropped twice on 22. Her innings concluded when Tahlia McGrath took a catch at mid-on off Ash Gardner`s bowling.
Alana King continued her impactful bowling in the middle overs, claiming two wickets for just one run within a span of 23 balls. She dismissed Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana, who was stumped by Healy, and then induced an edge from Shorna Akter, caught low by Beth Mooney at slip. Georgia Wareham further tightened Australia`s grip, conceding only six runs in her first five overs and securing the wickets of Ritu Moni and Rabeya Khan. Annabel Sutherland also added to her impressive tally, removing Fahima and Nishita, and now leads the tournament`s wicket-takers list with 12 dismissals.
While Mostary`s late surge saw her reach her fifty and survive two dropped catches off Gardner, Australia`s overall supremacy with both bat and ball ensured a comfortable victory. Despite the win, Australia will undoubtedly be looking to rectify their fielding inconsistencies as they prepare for their highly anticipated clash against England next Wednesday.
