Let Ourselves Down With An ‘Un-Australian’ Performance: Alyssa Healy

The unthinkable happened at the DY Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai on October 30 (Thursday) as Australia Women ended up crashing out of the 2025 ODI World Cup despite racking up 338 batting first.

Australia, who entered the semi-final with 15 straight World Cup wins under their belt, were overwhelming favourites before the match started and even more so after posting 338, yet it was India who emerged victorious as they pulled off the biggest and greatest chase in Women’s ODI history.

In the aftermath of the loss, Australia skipper Alyssa Healy lamented her side’s un-Australian performance. There were collapses, silly run-outs, extras and, most importantly, dropped catches that led to the defending champions’ downfall.

"I think ultimately we just weren't sharp enough probably today, probably in all three facets, definitely to give ourselves the opportunity to win that semi-final," Healy said post the loss.

"I think we did pretty well to hang in there. We created a lot of opportunities and let ourselves down in that regard. So probably sitting here disappointed knowing that we sort of did that to ourselves a little bit. Not taking anything away from the Indian performance. I thought they played really well. But yeah, there's a little bit of an element of we let ourselves down a little bit.”

338 was a mammoth total in itself, but Healy reckoned that her side could and should have posted way more than they did. Australia were 220/2 in the 34th over, looking well on course for a 370-ish total, but a mini collapse saw them slip to 265/6. From that point, they failed to even bat out their 50 overs as they got bowled out for 338.

"Winning the toss and batting first, I think we could have been a little bit better and got a few more, ironically. So, yeah, I think at the halfway mark we thought we went okay,” Healy said.

“We thought we still had a pretty big job to do with the ball and ultimately I just think we dished up a little bit too much junk to hit at times and also probably just didn't capitalize on the opportunities that we did create. 

“So, yeah, disappointing. It sort of feels a little bit un-Australian to be not as clinical as what we normally are. Knowing how well we've played this World Cup feels a little bit disappointing sitting here.”

Centurion Jemimah Rodrigues played one of the greatest knocks in Women’s Cricket history, but she was also aided by the fact that Australia put her down not once, not twice, but three times. The last of the drops came in the 44th over, and, post that, the game slipped away for good from the hands of the defending champions.

Addressing the uncharacteristic drop catches, Healy said: "They [dropped catches] definitely changed the course of the match. Was it semi-final pressure? Maybe. Was it just, concentration? Was it anything? I'm not sure... we could put that down to whatever. But like I said, on a pretty decent wicket that seemed to be getting better and better to bat on as the night went on, to create those opportunities that we did and not capitalize, I think was disappointing.

"Oddly, I think we were still in it with four or five overs to go. Probably five overs to go. I think we were still in it. Funny things happen in games of cricket when it gets tight like that. If you can put enough pressure on an opposition, things can unfold. 

“So, yeah, she [Rodrigues] played really well tonight. Obviously, like I said, we gave her a couple of opportunities which didn't help us, but I thought she played really well. I think her resilience; I think her mental resilience out there to get her team over the line was exemplary. So full credit to her."

For once, there won’t be Australia in a World Cup Final. And this time around, we have a first-time winner guaranteed thanks to India taking on South Africa in the final on Sunday. Healy asserted that a new winner would do ‘wonders’ for the Women’s game.

"And I think to see a new winner is going to do wonders for the, for the game,” she said.

“To see how well it's been supported here in India, first and foremost, I think it's great for them to be able to have the opportunity to play it at home in front of home fans in an ODI World Cup final is going to be really special for them. 

“So, I hope it does great things for Indian cricket and likewise for South Africa as well. I think they've been close in the past, so for them to have an opportunity in a final, yeah, it's going to be, going to be great to watch. 

“It's going to hurt a little bit, but it's going to be really great to watch and hopefully we see it do great things for the global game and more investment in each of these nations moving forward."