Wellington: Australia booked their place in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final after a dominant 157-run victory over West Indies on Wednesday. Openers Alyssa Healy (129) and Rachael Haynes (85) set the stage with their 216-run partnership which powered Australia to post 305/3 in a rain-reduced 45 overs per side semi-final at Basin Reserve. In reply, West Indies could manage just 148. West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor (48) played a lone hand in the run chase, with Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews both managing 34 runs at the top of the order. Experienced spinner Jess Jonassen claimed two wickets, while five others picked up one scalp each to ensure West Indies stay on the backfoot. With Chinelle Henry and Anisa Mohammed not available to bat due to injuries, which they sustained during West Indies’ fielding innings, their run chase came to an end after 37 overs. Earlier, Healy and Haynes looked in great control ever since West Indies put them into bat. The duo used their feet well against the spinners and made the most of anything short. West Indies skipper Taylor used seven bowlers to get the much needed breakthrough but sloppy fielding added to their miseries. Shamilia Connell finally struck in the 33rd over as West Indies held on to one. Healy tried to go over mid-off but Shakera Selman ran in and took a diving catch to end the 216-run stand. The partnership between Healy and Haynes became the most by any pair in all-time Women’s World Cups, surpassing Lisa Keightley and Belinda Clark’s 170 for Australia against South Africa in 2000. In a surprise move, Australian camp sent Ashleigh Gardner at No.3 ahead of their captain Meg Lanning. However, the move didn’t last long as Henry struck twice in the 36th over. On a full ball outside off, Haynes was caught at covers, while Gardner (12) nicked one behind. Lanning (26 not out) and Beth Mooney (43 not out) added 69 runs towards the end. Brief scores: Australia 305/3 in 45 overs (Alyssa Healy 129, Rachael Haynes 85; Chinelle Henry 2/51) beat West Indies 148/10 in 37 overs (Stafanie Taylor 48; Jess Jonassen 2/14, Megan Schutt 1/8) by 157 runs. UNI PN
