Australia’s captain, Alyssa Healy, expressed her disappointment as India ended their reign as one-day world champions with a stunning victory in the semi-final in Mumbai. Despite Australia posting a formidable 338-run target, fielding errors and Jemimah Rodrigues’s remarkable unbeaten 127 led India to a historic chase, setting up a final against South Africa.
Healy admitted that Australia fell short in all aspects, missing the opportunity to secure a win in the crucial semi-final. This defeat marked Australia’s first loss in the ODI World Cup since 2017, evoking memories of their previous exit at the same stage in the Twenty20 World Cup.
Reflecting on the missed chances, Healy acknowledged the team’s failure to capitalize on opportunities, particularly highlighting crucial dropped catches of Rodrigues by herself and Tahlia McGrath. Despite the disappointment, Healy praised the team’s collective effort throughout the tournament, emphasizing the contributions from various players that had put them in a strong position.
Despite the setback, all-rounder Ellyse Perry expressed optimism and reluctance towards making significant changes to the team, emphasizing the joy and entertainment their cricket brings to fans, with a focus on upcoming opportunities.