Australia
defeated India in an ICC Women’s World Cup match on Saturday at Eden Park. The
Australian women’s team chased down a massive 278-run target to register their
highest successful chase in the ICC Women’s World Cup. During the Indian
innings, captain Mithali Raj and Yastika Bhatia hit gritty half-centuries while
Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar provided the late fireworks to take India
to 277 for seven in 50 overs. Vastrakar smashed 34 off just 28 balls, a blazing
knock that included a gigantic 81-metre six, which is the biggest of the Women’s
World Cup 2022 so far.

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In
the 49th over of India’s innings, Vastrakar smashed Australian pacer Megan
Schutt over the long-on boundary for a huge six to bring up her 50-run
partnership with Harmanpreet.

The
81m six eclipsed the previous best, 80m sixes, held by South Africa’s Chloe
Tyron and Vastrakar’s India teammate Smriti Mandhana.

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Tyron
had hit 80m six for South Africa against Bangladesh in Dunedin, while
Mandhana’s super hit came against the West Indies in Hamilton.

The
fourth-longest six in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup belongs to Pakistan’s
Nida Dar (vs South Africa in Tauranga) while West Indian Hayley Matthews’ 77m
six against England in Dunedin rounds out the top five.

On
Saturday, Harmanpreet and Vastrakar’s helped India post a competitive total.
But it wasn’t enough as Australia chased down the target with three balls to
spare.

In
reply, Alyssa Healy (72) and Rachael Haynes (43) provided Australia with a
solid start, building a 121-run partnership for the opening wicket. Captain Meg
Lanning took over to put the Aussies on the brink.

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India,
however, dismissed Lanning on 97 to set the cat among the pigeons. Australia
were left needing 8 runs off the final over but Beth Mooney kept her nerves to
get the job done and book her team’s place in the semis.

The Indian women’s team is currently standing in fourth place with four points in five matches.

India earlier defeated Pakistan and West Indies in two successive matches.