[Image: Annabel Sutherland, Smriti Mandhana and Alyssa Healy on the field]
The recent ICC Women’s World Cup match between cricketing giants India and Australia in Visakhapatnam was nothing short of extraordinary, etching itself into history as a game overflowing with broken records. This exhilarating encounter showcased incredible individual performances and team milestones, with Australia successfully chasing a massive target of 331 runs to secure a three-wicket victory with an over to spare.
Mandhana’s Milestone: 5,000 WODI Runs and Beyond
Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana was in exceptional form, contributing 80 runs to her team’s total. During this innings, she achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the youngest and fastest woman to reach 5,000 WODI runs. Mandhana’s incredible year also saw her become the first player ever to accumulate over 1,000 runs in a single calendar year, with a staggering 1,062 runs in just 18 innings. Her consistent dominance against Australia continued, marking her fifth consecutive score of 50 or more against the reigning champions, a feat that firmly establishes her as a formidable ‘Aussie hunter’, reminiscent of Virat Kohli’s prowess in men’s cricket.
A Stellar Opening Partnership
Smriti Mandhana found an ideal partner in Pratika Rawal. Their formidable 155-run opening stand was a record-breaker in itself, marking the highest opening partnership ever against Australia in the Women’s World Cup. Furthermore, it represented their sixth century partnership together this calendar year, placing them second only to the legendary duo of Mithali Raj and Punam Raut in terms of century stands by an Indian pair in ODIs.
Annabel Sutherland’s Birthday Spectacle
Australia’s all-rounder Annabel Sutherland celebrated her 24th birthday with an unforgettable performance. She not only claimed her maiden five-wicket haul, taking an impressive 5/40, but also reached her 50th WODI wicket. This made her the first woman to achieve a five-wicket haul on her birthday and only the second cricketer in ODI history to do so.
India’s Record-Breaking World Cup Score
India’s formidable batting display resulted in a total of 330, marking their highest score ever in a Women’s World Cup match. This surpassed their previous best of 317/8 against West Indies in 2022.
Alyssa Healy’s Masterclass in a Record Chase
The star of Australia’s chase was undoubtedly captain Alyssa Healy, who delivered a magnificent innings of 142 runs from just 107 balls, adorned with 21 fours and three sixes. Her incredible performance powered Australia to the highest-ever successful run chase in women’s ODI history, surpassing Sri Lanka’s 302-run chase against South Africa. Healy’s century also placed her alongside cricketing legends Karen Rolton and Meg Lanning for the most centuries by an Australian in Women’s World Cups.
A Shower of Sixes
This memorable match also treated fans to a spectacular display of power hitting, with a total of 13 sixes smashed – seven by India and six by Australia – marking the highest number of sixes ever recorded in a single Women’s World Cup fixture.
For more inspiring stories, check out Game On, Episode 5.