Australia achieve World Cup glory with dominant win over England

Contributor
Joshua Mayne
Australia achieve World Cup glory with dominant win over England image

Australia has claimed the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup in a clinical victory over England at Hagley Oval. 

Alyssa Healy starred for the green and gold, scoring 170 runs off 138 balls, which is the largest individual score in a World Cup final - men’s or women’s. 

She also became the first cricketer to score a century in the semi-final and final of a World Cup tournament, following her knock against the West Indies on Wednesday.

Australia reached a hefty total of 356/5, with England falling short in their run chase at 285 all out. 

England's skipper Heather Knight won the toss and elected to bowl first, in what turned out to be a difficult day in the field for her team, featuring some sloppy fielding and dropped catches.

There were two key missed opportunities in the 21st over for England, with Danni Wyatt dropping a tough chance at point before Nat Sciver failed to make a simple catch at mid-wicket. 

Australia's opening partnership was eventually broken when Haynes was dismissed for 68 runs.

She sliced a shot from a Sophie Ecclestone delivery and was caught by Tammy Beaumont.

England weren't able to capitalise on their breakthrough, failing to take another wicket until the 46th over, when they eventually enjoyed a flurry of bowling success. 

Alyssa Healy's mighty knock came to an end via a stumping, with three more Australian wickets falling before the completion of the 50th over.

It was a far from ideal start to England's time at the crease, when opener Danni Wyatt was bowled by Megan Schutt in the third over. 

From there on, wickets fell consistently as Australia's bowlers stamped their presence on the match.

Nat Sciver scored an impressive 148 not out but ultimately couldn't lift her side to victory.