Aussie captain Alyssa Healy has revealed that she has performed her final ODI World Cup match, signalling a interval of change for Australia after the crew’s shock semi-final loss to India on Thursday night time.
The Aussies’ bid to defend their title ended after India accomplished the most important run-chase in ODI World Cup historical past to safe a shocking five-wicket victory.
Unbeaten all through the event, Australia appeared sure to achieve the ultimate after posting a commanding whole of 338 whereas batting first in Mumbai.
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Alyssa Healy speaks to media through the post-match press convention following Australia’s defeat in its ICC Girls’s Cricket World Cup 2025 semi-final match. Alex Davidson/ICC by way of Getty Photographs
However regardless of the daunting goal, India chased the full down with 9 balls to spare, pushed by Jemimah Rodrigues’ scintillating century.
The hometown hero scored 127 not out off 134 balls — together with 14 fours — in an effort that capitalised on a pricey dropped catch from Healy.
On 82, Rodrigues survived an enormous scare when Healy dropped a regulation catch off Alana King.
Healy, who had her wicketkeeping gloves off, let the possibility slip via her fingers, a pivotal and expensive error that allowed Rodrigues to stay unbeaten and information India to the document win.
Talking post-match, Healy admitted that Australia was its personal worst enemy.
“We did that to ourselves a little bit bit,” she stated.
Alyssa Healy removes her helmet, wanting dejected as Australian teammates react to their defeat in opposition to India. ICC by way of Getty Photographs
“It is most likely the primary time that I’ve felt like we have accomplished that. So, we most likely did not end off with the bat, did not bowl that nice and dropped all our probabilities within the area, and nonetheless hung in there till the second final over.
“So, I imply, we are able to take one thing out of that, however in the end, outdone in the long run.”
All up, the Aussies dropped three catches, with Healy’s pricey failure to carry onto Rodrigues proving to be essentially the most damaging.
“I feel we created sufficient [chances]. We created strain,” she stated.
“We created alternatives, we simply weren’t in a position to capitalise, and I am at fault for that as nicely, and I feel that is one thing that Australia actually prides itself on.
“We type of let ourselves down in that regard. So, that is most likely why it is disappointing.
India’s Jemimah Rodrigues bats whereas Australia’s wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy appears on throughout their ICC Girls’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 semi ultimate. Alex Davidson/ICC by way of Getty Photographs
“It felt a little bit bit just like this time final yr [at the T20 World Cup], form of going out enjoying, you recognize, not the way in which that we wished to play.
“So, we’ll study from that, we’ll develop, and I feel our one-day cricket will hopefully enhance since.”
Requested if she would return for the following ODI World Cup in 4 years, Healy confirmed she wouldn’t be collaborating.
“I will not be there,” she stated.
The 35-year-old expressed optimism for the crew’s future, anticipating a interval of great change in Australia’s long-format sport.
“That is the great thing about this subsequent cycle, we’ll see that unfold,” she stated.
“Clearly, there is a T20 World Cup in the midst of subsequent yr, which is de facto thrilling for our group. However I feel our one-day cricket might be going to shift a little bit bit once more.
“The chance for some younger gamers to get higher alternatives on this facet is a extremely thrilling factor for Australian cricket.”
Famous person Ellyse Perry, 34, can be dealing with hypothesis that she might have performed her final ODI World Cup match.
Healy pointed to rising stars like Phoebe Litchfield, who completed the sport with 119 runs, as robust causes for Australian followers to stay hopeful.
“If you’ve seen gamers my age stroll away from the sport, it is type of a bizarre expertise to face there and watch the following technology go about it,” she stated.
Phoebe Litchfield’s massive smile after her ton. Getty
“I assumed Phoebe was sensational at this time, set us off actually properly on the prime after which went on to make 100, which I assumed was actually essential.
“Kudos to her. It has been enjoyable to look at her unfold, and I feel the following 4 years main into the following ODI World Cup are going to be actually thrilling to look at.”
Litchfield hits World Cup document with 77-ball ton
Litchfield made event historical past in opposition to India, celebrating her achievement with a beaming smile after hitting the quickest hundred in a World Cup knockout match.
The younger batter introduced up her ton off simply 77 balls with a boundary earlier than grinning from ear to ear together with her household watching within the crowd.
It was her first World Cup hundred, her second in opposition to India and third general.
“A semi-final knock of the very best class, this 22-year-old from Orange in NSW,” Ian Bishop stated on Amazon’s protection.
Earlier, Healy made her much-anticipated return from harm and was given an virtually instant reprieve by her Indian counterpart.
After successful the toss and electing to bat, Healy watched her opening associate Litchfield motor to eight runs off seven deliveries.
Alyssa Healy batting for Australia. Getty
Renuka Singh Thakur then got here in to bowl at Healy, who was on two, and compelled a mistimed off-drive that was hit within the air.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur was at mid-off and had her physique side-on to the ball, which sat completely at chest peak.
Kaur went too exhausting together with her fingers, permitting the ball to juggle out behind her.
To make the drop much more dramatic, Kaur’s follow-through meant she ran at the least three metres earlier than falling over.
“She made all the bottom, did all of the exhausting work, and I assumed she had it for a second,” Bishop stated on commentary earlier than noting “the bottom went silent” in Navi Mumbai.
Healy barely gave a response, providing a steely look.
Harmanpreet Kaur drops Alyssa Healy. Amazon Prime
However India’s Kranti Goud rectified her captain’s mistake within the sixth over, bowling Healy, who chopped the ball on for 5.
Healy, Australia’s wicketkeeper batter, began the event in type with two centuries earlier than lacking the final two group matches with a calf harm. These included a world-record chase of 330 in opposition to India, adopted by reeling in 198 in opposition to Bangladesh in underneath 25 overs with all wickets in tact.
After Healy’s dismissal, the covers got here on for the rain at 1-25.
Play resumed shortly after, and Australia appeared like they’d be in bother when veteran Perry was given out lbw.
Litchfield shortly ran down and informed her to evaluate, which introduced a not out verdict.
The 22-year-old then marched in direction of her century whereas Perry went alongside steadily on the different finish.
Phoebe Litchfield celebrates her century. Getty
Litchfield was dismissed for 119 off 93 balls when she tried to scoop Amanjot Kaur to advantageous leg.
Her departure got here at 2-180 after a partnership of 155 with Perry, who was on 45 not out. Perry was later dismissed for 77 off 88 deliveries.
