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Alyssa Healy’s century and Annabel Sutherland’s five-wicket haul and unbeaten cameo power Australia to the highest successful chase in Women’s World Cup history, edging India in a Visakhapatnam thriller. Australia defeated India by three wickets , chasing 331 — the highest successful run chase in ICC Women’s World Cup history.
Visakhapatnam: It had everything-Class, collapse, and courage, as Australia squeezed past India by three wickets in a nail biting ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 game at Visakhapatnam. The defending champions successfully chased 331, achieving the highest successful chase ever in the history of the women’s ODI game, and affirming again why they are the standard bearers of world cricket.
Set 331 to win, Australia returned home with four balls remaining, courtesy a magnificent 142 off 107 balls by captain Alyssa Healy and a determined finish by Ellyse Perry, back from injury, guiding her side home.
Healy’s Masterclass Creates the Record Chase Setup
From the first over itself, Alyssa Healy was fully in control. Ticking the ball nicely, she thrashed anything short or wide, dismantling the Indian bowling with drives, cuts, and pulls that zipped across the fast outfield. Her innings, a blend of solidity and flair, was the platform on which Australia’s chase was built.
Healy’s 142 off 107 balls included 21 fours and 3 sixes, an innings that will be assessed as amongst the best in Women’s World Cup history. She was particularly crucial as she settled Australia back after early hiccups, with opener Phoebe Litchfield (40) then Beth Mooney cheaply dismissed for just 4 runs.
Healy was supported by Ashleigh Gardner, whose 45 was vital, and Ellyse Perry, who, having retired hurt earlier due to a hamstring spasm, came back at a vital point with an unbeaten 47.
By the time Healy was dismissed, Australia had completed most of the hard work. Perry’s composure and calmness in the death overs saw the team cross the line, achieving yet another incredible World Cup triumph.
India’s Brilliance with the Bat Overshadowed by
India’s 330 all out was intimidating on a flat wicket, but it might and maybe even should have been bigger. The innings was anchored by a brilliant opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Kaur, who once again provided the ideal beginning. Mandhana’s 80 from 66 balls and Pratika’s elegant 75 propelled India to 155 without loss.
But they then collapsed badly from 294 for 4, slipping to 36 for the last six wickets in the death overs. A 360 plus score became 330, leaving Indian bowlers with a little less leeway against the world’s most consistent batting outfit.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who had scored 22, subsequently admitted that they had not capitalised in the death overs and had thereby lost the game.
“If we had gone further in that direction, we would have earned another 30 or 40 runs. We lost in the final six overs; that was expensive,” said Harmanpreet in the aftermath. “Our openers have been excellent. We just have to finish better. We will reflect and think about the combination. Two poor games will not change what we think about.”
Bowling Balance Exposed as Australia Punishes the Gaps
India’s choice not to have more than five frontline bowlers backfired again. Lack of a sixth bowling option was keenly felt as the game went along. Once counter attacking was initiated by Gardner and Healy, variation was not on the agenda for India.
Whereas Deepti Sharma, Charani and Gaud bowled sparingly in patches, Australia’s depth as a batting side meant that each opportunity missed was expensive. Charani, though, stood out with her penetration and discipline, to the applause of both skippers.
“Charani bowled superbly tonight,” stated Healy. “Even during my innings, she did not give up anything cheaply. She is clearly a force to be reckoned with.”
The Australian quest showed their flexibility and depth qualities that have kept them ahead of the rest of the world for years.
Perry’s Return and Sutherland’s Precision
The defining moment of the night came when Ellyse Perry, who had earlier retired hurt, returned late in the innings with the equation still tight. India had picked up three quick wickets to hint at a turnaround, but Perry’s poise under pressure shut the door on any miracle comeback.
With Australia seven down, Perry and the lower order chipped away steadily. The winning runs came with four balls to spare, sealing a chase that will be remembered as one of the greatest in the history of women’s ODI cricket.
Also Read: India vs Australia: Can Hosts Stop Aussie Express in Visakhapatnam?
Healy Player of the Match
Alyssa Healy was named Player of the Match for her game winning 142. During her post match interview, she credited her teammates and the team’s collective calmness.
“Very proud of the group,” said Healy. “It became a bit cramped at the back end, but we’ve been going on about our depth for a long time, and this was evidence of that. The bowling was excellent at pulling it back, at times, we were going to have to chase 360. I just wanted to settle in for a big day, and fortunately, that came off.”
Rain, Relief, and Reflection
Seconds after the winning boundary was punched, rain poured at Visakhapatnam, drenching the surface that had just been treated to a show as great as any in recent times. Groundsmen hurried to tarpaulin the wicket, thinking about the next day’s game between Bangladesh and South Africa. For India, the night had concluded in frustration, albeit also in self analysis. They had batted toe to toe with Australia for the greater part of the game, just to lose their composure at the crunch time. Australia, on the other hand, departed the field beaming not so much due to the outcome, perhaps, but because they again demonstrated why they are the most complete side in women’s cricket.
