Healy makes 170, Australia 356-5 in Women's World Cup final

England now has to score at more than seven runs per over throughout its innings to match Australia’s total

Alyssa Healy struck 170 from 138 balls in one of the finest ever one-day international innings Sunday to put Australia in charge of the Women’s Cricket World Cup final against England.

Healy went on from a run-a-ball century to record the second-highest ODI score by an Australian woman and to lead Australia to an extraordinary total of 356-5 as it batted after losing the toss at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Healy’s 160-run opening partnership with Rachael Haynes in just over 29 overs dampened the spirts of an England team which was hoping for back-to-back titles after winning the 2017 World Cup at home.

Her 156-run partnership with Beth Mooney for the second wicket left England close to despair.

Had it been a one-off, Healy’s innings would have been an extraordinary and memorable one. But Healy also made 129 and put on 216 with Haynes in Australia’s semifinal win over the West Indies five days ago.

Haynes made 85 in the semifinal and followed up with 68 from 93 balls on Sunday. Beth Mooney followed her unbeaten 43 in the semifinal with 62 from 47 balls against England, including a half century from 38 deliveries.

England now has to score at more than seven runs per over throughout its innings to match Australia’s total.