Christchurch: Australia are crowned the champions of the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup after beating England by 71 runs in Christchurch on Sunday.
The bowlers did a splendid job to bowl England out for 285 after Alyssa Healy’s sensational 170 had helped them to a score of 356/5.
Megan Schutt gave Australia the perfect start in their defence of 357 in the Final. Bowling an absolute peach of a delivery, the inswinger was too good for Danni Wyatt, as she was bowled for just 4.
Her opening partner, Tammy Beaumont, looked in sizzling touch, taking the attack to the Australian pacers. She was severe whenever the Australian bowlers erred in line and length, smacking away five boundaries.
Schutt though struck again, trapping Beaumont plumb in front of the stumps to get her prized scalp for 27 as England found themselves reeling at 38/2.
Healy had deflated the England bowling attack, stitching a 160-run opening stand with Rachael Haynes. The wicketkeeper-batter also set the record for most runs by a batter in a single edition of the Women’s World Cup — 509 runs, 12 more than her opening partner.
Healy also became the first baiter in the history of the game to hit a hundred in the semi-final and the final of World Cup.
Australia’s power-hitting charge was perfectly calculated as they took the England attack to the cleaners in the last 20 overs of their innings. Following Haynes’ exit in the 30th over, Australia added 196 runs to their total, batting England out of the contest.
Beth Mooney chipped in with a crucial 62 while the likes of Ellyse Perry (10-ball 17 not out) and captain Lanning (5-ball 10) to make sure Australia posted 356.
For England, 4-time champions, Nat Sciver waged a stunning lone battle, remaining unbeaten on 148 in just 121 balls.
Even as wickets were tumbling at the other end, Nat Sciver held her own and kept moving the scoreboard. A fitly partnership with Sophia Dunkley for the 5th wicket kept England hopes alive but Alana King (62/3) and Jess Jonassen (2/53), the two Australian spinners, spun a web around the England middle-order.
