Aussies make cricket history in thrilling Women’s World Cup win over India

Australia’s women’s cricket team is on fire at the World Cup and they proved why they’re the team to beat with a record-breaking win.

Australia made cricket history in their win over India at the Women's World Cup.

Australia has sealed its place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Cricket World Cup with a thrilling last over win over India on Saturday night.

Batting first, India posted a very competitive total of 277 off its 50 overs on the back of half centuries to Yastika Bhatia (59), Mithali Raj (68) and Harmanpreet Kaur (57).

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But Australia was up to the task in the run chase. Openers Alyssa Healy (72) and Rachel Haynes (43) put on 121 for the first wicket before they fell in quick succession.

Captain Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry, who struggled with the ball earlier, then combined for a 123-run partnership as they steadily inched towards the target.

But just as it appeared the Aussies were cruising to victory, both Perry (28) and Lanning (97) were caught out in the infield as the skipper fell agonisingly short of a century.

India slowed up the run rate and Australia required eight runs from the last over to win.

Enter Beth Mooney, who is batting at No. 5 in the ODI side during this World Cup campaign.

Tahlia McGrath (L) and Beth Mooney after defeating India in a triller. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Mooney barely broke a sweat as she finished the job in just three balls, hitting a four over mid-wicket, running for two and then smacking a superb straight drive down the ground to seal the win.

CODE’s Lachlan McKirdy tweeted: “Beth Mooney — ice in her veins. She gets it done for the Aussies with three balls to spare.”

It was all too easy for Beth Mooney. (Photo by DAVID ROWLAND / AFP)

The unbeaten Australians now have another slice of history as they broke the record for the highest successful run chase in the history of the Women’s World Cup.

Their total of 280 surpassed the previous mark of 262, which was also set by Australia against Sri Lanka at the last World Cup in 2017.

Highest successful chase in the Women's ODI World Cup:

280/4 - Australia🇦🇺 v IND🇮🇳 at Auckland, today
262/2 - Australia🇦🇺 v SL🇱🇰 at Bristol, 2017
244/9 - Sri Lanka🇱🇰 v ENG🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 at Mumbai, 2013#CWC22#INDvAUS

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) March 19, 2022

It was also Australia’s 17th consecutive successful run chase in ODIs, which is a record in itself.

The six-wicket victory was Australia’s fifth of the tournament and confirms their place in the semi-finals with two games to spare.

The World Cup favourites will next take on South Africa on Tuesday.