Australia continued their dominance at the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup with a comprehensive 158-run win over the West Indies in the first semi-final in Wellington.
The match was reduced to 45 overs per team after a rain delay before the toss which the West Indies won the toss and elected to field first.
Australia’s opening pair of Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes got off to a slow start while assessing conditions before putting the Windies bowlers to the sword once they got comfortable.
The two ended up putting on a mammoth 216 before Healy was dismissed for a blistering 129 off just 107 balls in the 33rd over.
Healy's innings included 17 fours and one six.
Haynes eventually got to 85 off 100 balls before she became the second wicket to fall with the score on 231 in the 36th over.
Captain Meg Lanning (26 not out) and Beth Mooney (43 not out) then continued the attack for the Australians before the innings closed with them amassing 305-3 off their 45 overs.
Chinelle Henry was the only West Indian who had a decent showing with the ball, taking 2-51 off her nine overs.
The Windies started their reply already at a disadvantage as Anisa Mohammed and Chinelle Henry were both unable to bat after sustaining injuries in the field.
Captain Stafanie Taylor (48), Hayley Matthews (34) and Deandra Dottin (34) were the only West Indian batters to pass double figures as Australia were equally dominant with the ball, restricting the Windies to 148-8 to secure a 158-run win and advance to the final.
Jess Jonassen took 2-14 off five overs.
Australia will be looking for their seventh ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title and first since 2013 when they play the winner of the second semi-final between South Africa and defending champions England.
The second semi-final takes place on Wednesday in Christchurch.