Sports: Jemimah Rodrigues batted unerringly through to an unbeaten 127 and India eliminated Australia, booking their spot in the Women’s World Cup final match against South Africa with a breathtaking five-wicket victory in today’s second semifinal.
Opting to bat first, Australia was all out for 338, opener Phoebe Litchfield (119) giving them a flying start and Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, runs apiece putting fifties on the board at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.
When play resumed, Rodrigues took on and produced a magnificent 14 boundaries to anchor India’s chase for the highest successful total in women’s cricket history with nine balls left. This result means that a new world champion will be crowned in Sunday’s one-day international match.
“It just feels like a dream and it’s not dropped in yet,” player-of-the-match Rodrigues, who was in tears after their win, said after India’s nervy chase.
Women’s World Cup final
Seven-time champions Australia had achieved a record hunt in a 661-run humdinger against India in the league phase of the tournament and they pulled up another big total against the same rivals after selecting to bat in the rematch.
Australia captain Alyssa Healy got an early redemption when India partner Harmanpreet Kaur dropped a catch at mid-off, but the batter could not capitalise on it and yanked the ball onto her stumps to leave for five.
