Women’s World Cup Semi-Final 1: Australia defeats West Indies to storm into finals

Their manner of victories in this World Cup speaks volumes about why they are the best and favourites to win this title.

Australia’s determined innings for the semi-finals

The day commenced with slight showers and covers on the field delaying the match. The rain reduced playing conditions to 45 overs per side.

Opting to bowl first on winning the toss by West Indies, Australian openers Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy flexed their batting muscles well.

They started slow and steady before giving hard time to spinners and managed a commendable 216-run opening stand for their team in just 197 balls. The first dismissal for Australia came in the form of Alyssa Healy who smashed 129 off 107 balls.

With such an anchoring start Australia had already shown their intent to play and win like champions. Rachael Haynes lost her wicket to Chinelle Henry for 85 runs off 100 balls.

They lost their third wicket of Ashleigh Gardner in quick succession.

Captain Meg Lanning and Beth Mooney remained not-out at 26 and 43 respectively to post a humongous target of 306 off 270 balls. 

Meg Lanning, Australia skipper said, "I thought Healy and Haynes set it up nicely for us. West Indies bowled well upfront.

"I thought we planned it well and set a really good base. We felt that the first hour was really important. We've played here a number of times on a fresh wicket. The way Healy and Haynes played was great, they left a lot of balls which is important in these conditions.

"We often speak about how to make maximum use of our batting line-up and today it meant sending her (Gardner) up the order. Yes, it was (almost the perfect game). Anytime you win a semi-final, you got to enjoy the moment but we were quite good in all departments.

"We don't mind whoever we face, to be honest, both are really good teams and we'll be watching tomorrow's game."

Lack of intent on dominance shown by Australian bowlers

With 306 runs to go, to secure a spot in the finals, Deandra Dottin and Rashada Williams opened the innings for West Indies.

Rashada Williams got dismissed for a 10-ball duck. Deandra Dottin did begin with intense shots, but after her dismissal, other players lacked the intent of chasing the total.

They played at their own pace and whenever they attempted to hit big, they ended up losing a wicket.

Agreeably the target was challenging in front of Australian bowlers, but lack of intent from West Indies did put them in the backseat from the start.

Their highest partnership of 47 off 79 came from captain Stafanie Taylor and Hayley Matthew.

The Australian bowlers were so perfect with their line and length that they knocked the complete team out for 148 runs in 37 overs.

They used the wicket well to ensure their dominance throughout and not allow West Indies batters to make a comeback.

England or South Africa - Who would be the second part of the puzzle for the World Cup final?

As expected, Australia is through to the World Cup final with a comfortable win. It took a historical inning in the last World Cup to eliminate them and it will take something similar to deny them of what looks like another World Cup title for them.

Tomorrow is another semi-final clash between South Africa and England which can be expected to be a little more competitive than today.

South Africa has never made the final of the World Cup while England is the defending champions.