We review the top five innings from the New Zealand edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
1. Alyssa Healy 170 against England
The seasoned player from Australia hit her sixth ODI century in the championship game, and what an innings it was. Healy nearly single-handedly crushed an experienced England bowling lineup with a strong combination of both power and polish in her match-winning innings, which included a stunning 26 boundaries and came from only 138 deliveries.
2. Nat Sciver 148* against Australia
It was unfortunate for Sciver—and for England—that Healy outscored the right-hander earlier in the day. On any other day, Sciver’s knock would have been viewed as a match-winning innings. Nevertheless, Sciver’s innings was of the highest caliber; during her unbroken 121-ball stay, the 29-year-old blasted 15 boundaries and one six, nearly pushing England over the finish line.
3. Meg Lanning 135* against South Africa
With a brilliant performance in Wellington, the Australia skipper reached her 15th ODI century and helped her team defeat South Africa’s respectable total of 271/5. Australia’s response saw two early wickets go, but Lanning took control after that and the team never appeared in danger in the face of a world-class South African assault. During her 130-ball spell, Lanning hammered 15 boundaries and one six, with her composure at the wicket clearly standing out.
4. Rachael Haynes 130 against England
During Australia’s opening 50-over encounter, the impressive opening innings set the tone for the competition. With the help of her 196-run partnership with captain Meg Lanning, Haynes’ ability to find the gaps in the middle overs stood out during this innings and laid the groundwork for Australia’s high total. It was Haynes’ second ODI century and the highest ODI total she had ever scored for her nation.
5. Danni Wyatt 129 against South Africa
Although Alyssa Healy also scored 129 during the competition, we felt it was more appropriate to highlight Wyatt’s performance for England in their victorious semifinal given that Healy already appears on this list. While South Africa’s typically dependable fielders may have saved Wyatt’s life a few times, the England opener displayed class to reach three figures and then go on to hit her greatest ODI total. Wyatt’s 125-ball stay, which featured 12 boundaries, ended up being the game-winning innings since South Africa never came near to matching England’s total.