‘This is ridiculous’: Alyssa Healy rewrites history books with World Cup demolition

Alyssa Healy has rewritten the history books, putting together one of the most destructive batting performances in World Cup cricket.

Alyssa Healy of Australia. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Alyssa Healy has rewritten the history books in Christchurch, putting together one of the most destructive batting performances in World Cup cricket to steer Australia towards a record total.

The wicketkeeper pummelled 170 off 138 balls in the must-win final at Hagley Oval to help Australia register a whopping team total of 5/356 from its 50 overs.

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Heather Knight won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that quickly backfired on the England skipper.

England’s bowlers had no answer for Healy’s masterclass, yelling in frustration every time she found the boundary rope.

The 32-year-old was assisted by some sloppy fielding and dropped catches, which only compounded England’s woes in the field.

Healy, who was later named Player of the Match, cracked 26 boundaries in the one-sided demolition, seamlessly finding gaps in the field as she toppled record after record after record.

The list of her accolades is lengthy:

— largest individual score in a World Cup final, men’s or women’s

— most runs in a Women’s World Cup tournament

— first cricketer to score a century in the semi-final and final of a World Cup tournament, men’s or women’s

— largest individual score against England in women’s ODIs

— most boundaries in a Women’s World Cup innings

Former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar tweeted: “This is ridiculous from @ahealy77! We are witnessing the best innings ever in a FINAL!”
Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell tweeted: “So bloody awesome! What a superstar.”

AAP’s Scott Bailey posted: “This knock from Healy is something ridiculously special.”

Alyssa Healy of Australia. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Highest individual scores in a World Cup final

170 — Alyssa Healy (AUS), 2022

149 — Adam Gilchrist (AUS), 2007

148* — Nat Sciver (ENG), 2022

140* — Ricky Ponting (AUS), 2003

138* — Viv Richards (WI), 1979

Healy was assisted by Rachael Haynes (68 off 93 balls) and Beth Mooney (62 off 47 balls), forming century partnerships with both left-handers.

She scored a staggering 45 runs from her last 19 deliveries before she was stumped off Anya Shrubsole’s bowling in the 46th over, walking off the ground to a standing ovation.
And the cherry on top? Her husband Mitchell Starc was in the crowd to witness her incredible feat.

Alyssa Healy walks off the ground. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

🥰🥰 #CWC22pic.twitter.com/O4NF6kt7wG

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) April 3, 2022

“That was pretty special from our group,” Healy said the triumph.

“It’s something that we’ve been working towards for a long period of time. Everyone’s been talking about it for a long period of time.

“So to finally get over the line was pretty cool.”

Australia later reclaimed the Women’s Cricket World Cup, defeating the reigning champions by 71 runs to secure the title for the first time since 2013.

Healy was anointed Player of the Tournament having scored 509 runs at 56.55 in nine knocks with a strike rate of 103.66.

“Today was just truly wonderful. For (Healy) to do what she did was just amazing to watch,” superstar all-rounder Ellyse Perry said after the victory.

“To finish the way we did today, from an Australian perspective, was just awesome.”

Australia is now in possession of the Men’s T20 World Cup, the Women’s T20 World Cup, the Men’s Ashes, the Women’s Ashes and the Women’s World Cup.

Alyssa Healy of Australia. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images