Australia waltzed into the final of the Women’s World Cup with a 157-run dismantling of West Indies in Wellington.
The tournament favourites made light of the green pitch and damp weather – morning rain reduced the game to 45 overs a side – to rack up 305-3.
Alyssa Healy crunched a sparkling 129, adding 216 with opening partner Rachael Haynes, who made 85.
Faced with what would have been the highest successful chase in a women’s one-day international, West Indies were immediately hit by Beth Mooney’s outrageous catch to dismiss Rashada Williams.
From there, the Windies showed no intent, crawling their way to 148 all out, albeit with two batters absent because of injuries.
Australia will meet either England or South Africa in the final in Christchurch on Sunday.
England, the defending champions, meet the Proteas in the second semi-final at the Hagley Oval at 02:00 BST on Thursday.
Five years ago, Australia were dumped out at this stage by India, but have dominated the women’s game ever since.
This had the ingredients of another upset, not least when West Indies won the toss and asked Australia to bat in potentially treacherous conditions.
Instead, Australia produced a devastating performance, one that will act as a warning to whichever team they are to meet in the final.
They were helped by a sloppy performance from West Indies, who wasted the new ball and dropped four catches. Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed collapsed with a hamstring injury while chasing a ball to the boundary, and bowled only two overs.
The contest was effectively over when Australia piled on the highest total ever made in a knockout match at the Women’s World Cup.
They made light of the absence of Ellyse Perry, the star all-rounder missing out with a back injury. When they play like this, Australia do not need her.
Brief scores:
Australia 305-3 (45 overs): Healy 129, Haynes 85
West Indies 148 (37 overs): Taylor 48, Jonassen 2-14. BBC
Thursday, March 31, 2022 – 01:00