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 team’s shock semi-final loss to India on Thursday night.
The Aussies’ bid to defend their title ended after India accomplished the largest run-chase in ODI World Cup historical past to safe a surprising five-wicket victory.
Unbeaten all through the match, Australia appeared sure to succeed in 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 overall 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 somewhat bit,” she stated.
Alyssa Healy removes her helmet, trying dejected as Australian teammates react to their defeat in opposition to India. ICC by way of Getty Photographs
“It is in all probability the primary time that I’ve felt like we have finished that. So, we in all probability did not end off with the bat, did not bowl that nice and dropped all our probabilities within the subject, and nonetheless hung in there till the second final over.
“So, I imply, we will take one thing out of that, however in the end, outdone ultimately.”
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 capable of capitalise, and I am at fault for that as effectively, and I feel that is one thing that Australia actually prides itself on.
“We form of let ourselves down in that regard. So, that is in all probability 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 remaining. Alex Davidson/ICC by way of Getty Photographs
“It felt somewhat bit just like this time final 12 months [at the T20 World Cup], form of going out enjoying, you realize, not the best way 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 group’s future, anticipating a interval of serious change in Australia’s long-format recreation.
“That is the fantastic thing about this subsequent cycle, we will see that unfold,” she stated.
“Clearly, there is a T20 World Cup in the course of subsequent 12 months, which is admittedly thrilling for our group. However I feel our one-day cricket might be going to shift somewhat bit once more.
“The chance for some younger gamers to get higher alternatives on this facet is a very thrilling factor for Australian cricket.”
Famous person Ellyse Perry, 34, can be dealing with hypothesis that she could have performed her final ODI World Cup match.
Healy pointed to rising stars like Phoebe Litchfield, who completed the sport with 119 runs, as sturdy causes for Australian followers to stay hopeful.
“If you’ve seen gamers my age stroll away from the sport, it is form of a bizarre expertise to face there and watch the following era go about it,” she stated.
Phoebe Litchfield’s large smile after her ton. Getty
“I believed Phoebe was sensational right this moment, set us off actually properly on the high after which went on to make 100, which I believed was actually essential.
“Kudos to her. It has been enjoyable to observe her unfold, and I feel the following 4 years main into the following ODI World Cup are going to be actually thrilling to observe.”
Litchfield hits World Cup document with 77-ball ton
Litchfield made match 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 injury and was given an virtually rapid 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 top.
Kaur went too arduous 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 no less than three metres earlier than falling over.
“She made all the bottom, did all of the arduous work, and I believed 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 match in model with two centuries earlier than lacking the final two group matches with a calf damage. These included a world-record chase of 330 against India, adopted by reeling in 198 against Bangladesh in below 25 overs with all wickets in tact.
After Healy’s dismissal, the covers got here on for the rain at 1-25.
Play resumed rapidly after, and Australia appeared like they’d be in hassle when veteran Perry was given out lbw.
Litchfield rapidly ran down and informed her to assessment, which introduced a not out verdict.
The 22-year-old then marched in the 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 tremendous 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.
