Alyssa Healy’s brilliance steers Australia toward another World Cup triumph; Sri Lanka’s hopes fade amid rain and inconsistency – By Trevine Rodrigo, eLanka Sports Editor (Melbourne).
Skipper Alyssa Healey’s blistering batting form has put Australia firmly on course to win back-to-back World Cups in the ongoing women’s pinnacle of world cricket in India and SriLanka.
Healey returned in time for the important assignment after being sidelined by injury and looked a bit challenged for form during the warm-ups.
But consecutive centuries at rapid pace against the mighty Indians and Bangladesh soon allayed fears of her contribution to a strong Australian line-up that has all bases covered.
Australia’s next game against arch rival England will provide a ready reckoner as to how this edition will pan out, particularly as both teams are unbeaten at this stage.
As it stands, Australia, England, South Africa and hosts India appear set to make the semis, with Pakistan an outside chance.
Co-hosts Sri Lanka need a miracle to fulfil skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s dream of making the top four before her retirement.
The Lankans had their best chance of featuring well, playing five games at home. But obviously short-sighted planning by the ICC who planned without consideration for the weather at this time of year in the Island resulted in two of their games against Australia and New Zealand being abandoned due to rain.
Losses to India, England and South Africa have sealed their fate making their dream a impossible and forgettable one.
The tournament is almost at it’s exciting and decisive stage.
