‘We did that to ourselves a little bit’ – Alyssa Healy reflects on Australia’s semifinal exit and confirms last ODI World Cup appearance

Australia’s golden run in women’s cricket came to a halt on Thursday night as the defending champions were knocked out of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 following a heartbreaking five-wicket defeat to India in the semifinal at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Batting first, Australia looked set for another commanding total when they reached 220 for 2 in the 34th over, thanks to Phoebe Litchfield’s sublime 119 and Ellyse Perry’s 77. However, a late collapse saw them bowled out for 338 in 49.5 overs, around 20 runs short of what they might have hoped for.

India, led by Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 and Harmanpreet Kaur’s 89, produced a stunning chase, the highest successful pursuit in women’s ODI history, to dethrone the seven-time champions and book a place in Sunday’s final against South Africa.

Speaking after the loss, Australian captain Alyssa Healy was candid in her assessment, admitting her side had only themselves to blame for failing to defend the total. “Good contest in the end. Probably reflecting on that, we did that to ourselves a little bit. It’s probably the first time I’ve felt like we’ve done that,” Healy said. “We didn’t finish off with the bat, didn’t bowl that great, and dropped our chances in the field, and still hung in there until the second last over. So, we can take something from that, but ultimately, we were outdone in the end.”

Healy praises Litchfield and Gardner, admits Australia fell short in key moments

Australia’s usually sharp fielding deserted them at crucial moments, with three dropped catches, including two off Jemimah Rodrigues, proving costly. “I think we created enough chances and pressure, but just weren’t able to capitalise. I’m at fault for that as well, and that’s something Australia really prides itself on. We kind of let ourselves down in that regard,” Healy said.

The defeat carried echoes of Australia’s T20 World Cup semifinal loss to South Africa in 2024, something Healy herself acknowledged. “It felt a little bit similar to this time last year, going out not playing the way we wanted to. We’ll learn from that, we’ll grow, and hopefully, our one-day cricket will improve since.”

Despite the disappointment, Healy was proud of her team’s overall campaign and the consistency they displayed through the tournament. “I think we’ve played some unbelievable cricket. Semi-finals are knockout games, if you don’t turn up on that evening, anyone can get you. Every single player contributed at some point, and that’s what makes it sting a little bit more.”

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The 35-year-old also praised the next generation of Australian talent, particularly Phoebe Litchfield, whose classy century at the top of the order stood out in the semifinal. “Phoebe was sensational today, set us off really nicely and went on to make a hundred, which was crucial. It’s been fun to watch her unfold, and the next four years leading into the next ODI World Cup are going to be really exciting.”

Healy also highlighted Ash Gardner’s emergence as a finisher in the middle order, crediting her for “completely owning that No.6, No.7 role” during the tournament.

Healy confirms final ODI World Cup appearance, leaves behind a golden legacy in Australian cricket

In a poignant moment, Healy confirmed that the semifinal was her final appearance in an ODI World Cup. “I won’t be there now, there you go,” she said with a smile. “That’s the beauty of this next cycle. We’re going to see it unfold. There’s a T20 World Cup next year, which is really exciting, but I think our one-day cricket is going to shift a little again. We’ll learn from tonight, grow, and get better.”

Alyssa Healy bows out of ODI World Cups as one of Australia’s modern greats, having played 123 matches and scored 3,563 runs at an average of 35.98, with seven hundreds and 18 fifties, along with countless match-winning contributions behind the stumps and with the bat.

Her legacy, however, will live on, not only through the records she leaves behind but through the fearless, attacking brand of cricket she helped define for Australia’s golden generation.

As India march on to the final, Australia, under Healy’s leadership, walk away knowing that even in defeat, their competitive spirit and commitment to excellence remain unmatched.