The Meg Lanning-led Australian team continued their dominance in the ongoing Women’s World Cup as they registered their fifth consecutive victory with a 6-wicket win over India in Auckland on Saturday (March 19).

Asked to bat first, the Women in Blue piled up 277/7 in their stipulated 50 overs on the back of half-centuries from skipper Mithali Raj (68 off 96), Yastika Bhatia (59 off 83), and Harmanpreet Kaur (57* off 47).

The total had never been chased before in tournament history but Australia scripted history by overhauling the target with three balls to spare.

Openers Alyssa Healy (72 off 65) and Rachael Haynes (43 off 52) got the Southern Stars off to a flier with a 121-run stand before skipper Lanning (97 off 107) took the team on the brink of victory.

Australia needed 8 runs off the final over and Beth Mooney (30* off 20) got the job done in the first three balls while facing Jhulan Goswami.

The path to semifinals has become tougher for the Miithali Raj-led side after their third loss in five games. On the other hand, Australia booked their place in the last-four stage with this victory.

Cricket fraternity lauded the Australian team for pulling off a stunning chase, led by Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy.

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