Alyssa Healy's ton seals semi-final spot for undefeated Aussies
Updated . First published at
Defending champion Australia reached the semi-finals at the Women's Cricket World Cup with two matches to spare after thrashing Bangladesh by 10 wickets overnight.
Captain Alyssa Healy hit 113 not out from only 77 balls and Phoebe Litchfield 84 not out from 72 as they reached 202 without loss in reply to Bangladesh's 9-198.
Healy and Litchfield crossed the finish line in just 24.5 overs, extending Australia's unbeaten World Cup streak to 13 consecutive games.
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Australia captain Alyssa Healy celebrates hercentury that helped power Australia past Bangladesh at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. Alex Davidson/ ICC via Getty Images
Healy's second consecutive century after 142 against India at the same venue on Sunday, included 20 boundaries and was the fastest hundred of this tournament. Litchfield struck 12 fours and a six.
Bangladesh opted to bat, and wrist spinner Alana King took 2-18 from 10 overs and was named the Player of the Match.
"There has been a bit of spin here, and length is key," King said afterwards.
"We were punished against India a little bit, so we wanted to bowl to our strengths. Really happy to keep them to a reasonable score today and play my part."
Australia has nine points from five games. Bangladesh has two from five and remained sixth.
Chasing 199 for victory, Australia was never in any trouble on the batting-friendly surface.
Fresh from a record chase against India, Healy and Litchfield pressed on with their first 50 from 44 balls. They didn't slow down — Healy got to 50 from 43 balls and Litchfield got there from 46 balls for her first half-century in this tournament.
Healy's second 50 came from only 30 deliveries as she hit eight more fours. Her century for a second straight game took 73 balls.
Phoebe Litchfield of Australia celebrates the 10-wicket victory with her captain, Alyssa Healy, following the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match against Bangladesh. Pankaj Nangia via Getty Images
It was the second-fastest century in tournament history.
Healy scored consecutive centuries at a World Cup for a second time, after 2022. She has four Cricket World Cup centuries, one behind Nat Sciver-Brunt of England.
Healy and Litchfield did not offer the Bangladesh bowlers a chance as they raised their first 100 runs from 83 balls, and went on to 150 from 125.
The partnership ultimately is Australia's third-highest for any wicket in Women's Cricket World Cups.
The chase was also the second-highest for zero wickets in women's ODIs, and the highest in tournament history as the seven-time champions won with 25.1 overs to spare.
Bangladesh chose to bat and made a sedate start. Opener Rubya Haider led the way with 44 from 59 balls, including eight fours.
The Australian spinners, led by King, kept taking wickets against the Tigresses. King had skipper Nigar Sultana stumped on 12 and sent back in-form Shorna Akter on seven.
Alana King of Australia celebrates the wicket of Shorna Akter with her teammates during the match against Bangladesh. Pankaj Nangia via Getty Images
Sobhana Mostary's second half-century of the tournament propped up Bangladesh from 5-127 in the 35th over.
She finished 66 not out from 80 balls with nine fours, but none of the last six batters reached double figures as Bangladesh fell well short of a par score.
Spinners Ashleigh Gardner (2-48) and Georgia Wareham (2-22) also collected two wickets each.
Australia will next play England in Indore on Wednesday evening.
