Phoebe Litchfield shatters Women's World Cup knockouts' record, slams 77-ball century against India in semis
Phoebe Litchfield slammed her second ODI century and her first in the World Cup as Australia piled on 338 runs batting first in the second semi-final of the ongoing tournament. Litchfield's 155-run partnership with Ellyse Perry laid the foundation for a huge first-innings score for Australia.
Phoebe Litchfield slammed the fastest century by any player in Women's World Cup knockouts as the southpaw laid the foundation for a massive score of 338 runs for Australia while batting first in the semifinal against India in Navi Mumbai, on Thursday, October 30. Australia lost the wicket of skipper Alyssa Healy before the only rain break after the start of the match and Litchfield went hell for leather, following the resumption. Ellyse Perry took the backseat and Litchfield just took over the lead role.
Litchfield just kept attacking and Indian bowlers, especially Kranti Goud, were on the receiving end of it. Australia were breezing through their innings and Litchfield was at the front and centre of hit, smashing a 77-ball century in a World Cup semi-final. Litchfield smashed the fastest century in a Women's World Cup knockout off just 77 balls and was also the youngest to do it in a knockout at just 22 years.
Fastest century in Women's World Cup knockouts (balls)
77 - Phoebe Litchfield (Australia) vs India - Navi Mumbai (World Cup 2025 semi-final)
90 - Harmanpreet Kaur (India) vs Australia - Derby (World Cup 2017 semi-final)
90 - Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) vs Australia - Christchurch (World Cup 2022 Final)
91 - Alyssa Healy (Australia) vs West Indies - Wellington (World Cup 2022 semi-final)
Litchfield was dropped on 102 and could add just 17 more runs after that. However, Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner continued on from that point with crucial half-centuries, with the former getting to her first fifty of the tournament. Even though Australia lost their last eight wickets for 118 runs, they still have 338 runs on the board, and it will need something special from India to chase this down.
Litchfield also became the third Australian batter to score a century in Women's World Cup knockout game, after current skipper Alyssa Healy and the legendary Karen Rolton.