ICC CWC 2022 | AUS-W vs ENG-W | Alyssa Healy lands knockout punch as invincible Australia reclaims title

Australia thumped England by 71 runs and claimed their seventh title, beating the 2017 champions in the final of ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022. England fought hard and relied on the brilliance of Natalie Sciver to take them home. Still, mighty Australia maintained their invincibility and continued its undefeated streak in the tournament to lift the prestigious trophy.

Opting to bowl first, the Heather Knight-led England never looked in the thick of things as the Aussie openers' rampage blew them away. Alyssa Healy and Rachel Haynes gave their side a scintillating start, putting an opening stand of 160 runs in the final.

Beth Mooney continued from where Haynes left. Mooney and Healy accelerated the innings as Australia marched on the path of setting up a mammoth total. Both batters stayed till the 46th over till Anya Shrubsole sent them packing. Healy scored a 170-run knock, while Mooney's brisk innings ended for 62 runs.

As the aim was to up the ante even further, Australia kept on slogging, losing a few wickets in the process; however, it finished at a massive total of 356 runs.

In the bid to retain their crown, England openers walked into the middle as the scoreboard pressure loomed large over their heads. Megan Shutt provided Australia with the early breakthroughs, dismissing Tammy Beaumont and Danielle Wyatt in the powerplay.

Australia kept chipping in with crucial wickets at regular intervals; England maintained an excellent run rate. Natalie Sciver held onto her wicket, but the other batters kept on walking backing to the dressing room.

Alana King pushed England into the hole even further as she single-handedly ran past their middle order. While Sciver played the innings of her life, scoring unbeaten 148 runs at the grandest stage, she received no support from the other end as England lost the match and trophy by 71 runs.

Brief scores:

Australia - 356/5

Alyssa Healy 170 (138), Rachel Haynes 68 (93);

Anya Shrubsole 46/3

England 285/10 

Natalie Sciver 148* (121), Tammy Beaumont 27 (26);

Jess Jonassen 57/3

Australia beat England by 71 runs.