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Litchfield's Historic Ton, Perry-Gardner Show Power Australia to 338 vs India

Australia has set India a challenging target of 339 runs in the Women's World Cup semifinal. Opener Phoebe Litchfield smashed a historic century, becoming the youngest to achieve this feat in knockout matches. Ellyse Perry provided solid support with 77 runs while Ashleigh Gardner's quickfire 63 boosted the total. This marks the second-highest score ever recorded in a women's World Cup knockout match.

Key Points: Australia Set India 339 in Women's World Cup Semifinal Clash

  • Litchfield becomes youngest to score Women's WC knockout century at 22 years
  • Perry-Litchfield's 155-run stand gives Australia solid 180/2 platform
  • Gardner-Garth's 66-run partnership takes Australia past 300-run mark
  • India fights back to reduce Australia from 180/2 to 265/6 in middle overs
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ICC Women's WC: Litchfield's historic ton, Perry, Gardner help Australia set 339 for India for booking spot in final

Phoebe Litchfield's historic century and Ellyse Perry-Ashleigh Gardner's fifties power Australia to 338/10 against India in Women's World Cup semifinal.

"She has never been dismissed for below 25 by India in women's ODIs. - Match Report"

Navi Mumbai, October 30

A historic century from opener Phoebe Litchfield and half-centuries from all-rounders Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry took Australia to a massive 338 in 49.5 overs during their ICC Women's World Cup semifinal clash against India on Thursday.

A historic century from Litchfield, making her the youngest to score a Women's World Cup knockout century, her 155-run stand with Ellyse Perry gave Australia a solid platform at 180/2. But India bounced back, reducing the Aussies to 265/6. Later on, Gardner and Kim Garth's seventh-wicket 66-run stand took the Aussies to 338 in 49.5 overs. This is the second-highest score in a women's WC knockout match, next to Australia's 356/5 against England in the 2022 edition final.

After Australia elected to bat first at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium, Litchfield, along with an experienced Ellyse Perry, helped the Aussies overcome the early loss of captain Alyssa Healy, smashing 119 in 93 balls, with 17 fours and three sixes. Her runs came at a strike rate of 127.95.

She continued her golden run against India, having scored 627 runs against them in nine innings at an average of 69.66, with two centuries, four fifties and a best score of 119. She has never been dismissed for below 25 by India in women's ODIs.

She has joined the company of skipper Healy (170 against England in the 2022 WC final and 129 against WI in the 2022 semifinal) and Karen Rolton (107* against India in the 2005 edition final) as the third Aussie to score a century in a 50-over World Cup knockout match.

At the age of 22 years and 195 days, she is the second-youngest Aussie to have a century in women's WC.

Litchfield had 155-run stand with Perry (77 in 88 balls, with six fours and two sixes), which laid down a solid platform for the Aussies at 180/2 when Amanjot Kaur (1/51) rattled the centurion's stumps. Shree Charani (2/49) and Radha Yadav (1/66) reduced Australia to 265/6, despite Perry's half-century, in 41.4 overs.

However, a stand of 66 runs between Gardner (63 in 45 balls, with fours boundaries and four sixes) and Kim Garth (17) took Aussies past 300-run mark.

In final few overs, Aussies went from 331/7 to 338 all out, setting India a mammoth 339 runs to win.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The middle overs collapse from 180/2 to 265/6 shows we had our chances. Gardner's cameo at the end really hurt us. Need better death bowling in these crucial matches.
A
Ananya R
Litchfield seems to love playing against India! 627 runs in 9 innings is just unbelievable. Our team needs to find a way to get her out early. Still, have faith in our women! 💪
S
Sarah B
As an Australian fan living in Mumbai, what a performance! Litchfield and Perry were brilliant. But India fought back well in the middle overs. This will be an exciting chase!
V
Vikram M
Respectful criticism: Our fielding could have been sharper. Missed a couple of run-out chances and boundaries that should have been stopped. Small margins matter in big games like this.
K
Kavya N
Shree Charani bowled really well with 2/49 in her 10 overs. She was economical when others were going for runs. Hope our top order gives us a solid start in this huge chase! 🙏
M
Michael C
Watching from Delhi - what a game! Australia showing why they're champions, but India's fightback from 265/6 was impressive. 339 is tough but

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