New Delhi: Phoebe Litchfield put on a stunning batting display in the ongoing women’s ODI World Cup semifinal against India at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The left-handed opener dominated the Indian bowling attack and showed no sign of nerves despite the magnitude of the match to register her third ODI century and first in the World Cup.
Litchfield’s positive and fearless approach unsettled the Indian bowlers, who had no answers to her strokes. The young batter justified her captain, Alyssa Healy’s decision to bat first in the second semifinal of the marquee event.
While Healy, the experienced of the two opening batters, found it difficult against the new ball, Litchfield, it seemed, was batting on a different track. Her free-flowing strokes, especially through the offside, halted India’s momentum following the early wicket of Healy in the sixth over.
Litchfield, Perry combine to torment Indian bowlers
In a sublime display of elegant and powerful batting, Litchfield played both conventional and unorthodox shots to all the corners of the park. There was no respite for India after the early dismissal of Healy, who scored a match-winning century against the Women in Blue in the group stage.
Seasoned player Elyse Perry joined hands with Litchfield for a mammoth second-wicket partnership of 155 runs. Litchfield completed her century in the 24th over, crossing the milestone in 77 balls.
Litchield makes WC history
The New South Wales batter scripted history after breaching the three-figure mark and became the youngest to hit a century in a Women’s WC knockout game, aged 22y 195d and the second-youngest for Australia in the competition’s history.
She was eventually dismissed for 119 off 93 balls by Amanjot Kaur in the 28th over. Her innings was studded with 17 boundaries and three sixes.
Earlier, Australia skipper Healy won the toss and elected to bat first. For India, Shafali Verma replaced Pratika Rawal, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Uma Chetry and Harleen Deol were dropped in favour of Richa Ghosh and Kranti Gaud.
Meanwhile, Healy recovered in time from her injury and returned to the playing XI alongside Sophie Molineux, who replaced Georgia Wareham.
The winner of this fixture will take on South Africa in the final on Sunday. The Proteas defeated England in the first semifinal in Guwahati on Wednesday to enter their maiden World Cup final.