Women’s World Cup 2022: Aussies secure semi-final spot with record run chase

Meg Lanning has been instrumental in Australia reeling in the biggest run chase in ODI Women’s World Cup history to be the first team to secure a sem-final spot.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 19: Meg Lanning of Australia bats during the 2022 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match between India and Australia at Eden Park on March 19, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Impressive run hauls from powerhouse batters Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning helped Australia pull off the biggest run chase in ODI Women’s World Cup history to maintain its unbeaten streak and secure a spot in the semi-final in a final over thriller against India.

Despite losing opening batters Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma in the first six overs, India’s middle order knuckled down to set an impressive total of 277 runs after being sent in to bat first at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday.

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Meg Lanning narrowly missed out on a century as Australia defeated India at Eden Park. Picture: Getty Images

Australia proved they were up to the challenge, chasing it down with three balls to spare and six wickets in hand.

It was opening duo Rachael Haynes and Healy who set the pace for the Aussie women — making 67 runs between them in the first 10 overs — Australia’s best power play performance so far this tournament.

The partnership lasted 19 overs, before Healy was sent packing by a ball from Sneh Rana, which was easily caught by Mithali Raj.

Mithali Raj takes on the Australian bowlers to be India’s highest scorer with 68 runs. Picture: Getty Images

Healy put on an impressive show with the bat, slogging nine fours in her 72 run total.

Haynes, the leading run scorer in the World Cup, was caught behind two overs later after she put together 43 runs.

It took incoming batters captain Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry a few overs to find their groove but once they did they continued what the opening duo had started.

Lanning reached 50 runs after 56 balls, which included eight fours.

They didn’t lift their feet off the pedal, taking every single they could and masterfully finding any gap in the field to clock up more valuable boundaries.

Elleyse Perry hits out on her way to 28 runs against India. Picture: Getty Images

With nine overs to go the heavens opened — Australia needed 53 runs to take the win.

The disruption didn’t work in Perry’s favour, being caught on 28 off 51 on the third ball after play resumed.

Beth Mooney was quick to sync with Lanning and wasted no time finding the boundary.

Lanning fell short of her century being caught by Pooja Vastrakar on 97 — putting pressure on Mooney and Tahlia McGrath to come up with the remaining eight runs from eight balls.

Some swift fielding from India saw the pressure double with the pair needing to find eight runs off six balls.

But Mooney remained cool as a cucumber, firing away two more boundaries, finishing on 30 off just 20 balls.

India’s Mithali Raj was India’s most impressive with the bat, scoring 68 runs — and combining for a crucial partnership with Yastika Bhatia (59).

While Aussie teen bowling sensation Darcie Brown claimed three wickets in her eight overs, the other bowlers struggled to bowl in line — throwing down 23 wides.

Spin sensation Alana King managed to slow down the Indian batters, dismissing Raj and Richa Ghosh (8).

Beth Mooney, who took a great catch early in the innings, dropped Pooja Vastraker on one.

Vastraker then took a go big or go home attitude hitting 34 off 28 balls — helping India set a tough target.

But it wasn’t enough to put a dent in Australia’s five-game winning streak.

Australia will next play South Africa, who are also yet to drop a match at 9am (AEDT) on Tuesday.

Originally published as Women’s World Cup 2022: Aussies secure semi-final spot with record run chase