Australiaâs Beth Mooney took a sensational catch as her side crushed the West Indies by 157 runs to reach the Womenâs World Cup final. In a rain-shortened semi-final, Alyssa Healy struck a sublime 129 and put on a 216-run opening partnership with Rachael Haynes, as the Aussies made 305-3 from 45 overs. In response, the West Indies were bowled out for 148, with Jess Jonassen taking 2-14 from five overs. The win means Australia have now reached the World Cup final for the ninth time and could win their seventh title on Sunday.
Mooney takes catch of the tournament
There have already been some stunning catches in this yearâs competition, not least Deandra Dottinâs one-handed grab against England.Â
Yet, Mooneyâs effort was arguably even better. With the West Indies needing an improbable 306 for victory, their chase got off to the worst possible start as Mooney clung on to an attempted pull-shot from Rashada Williams.Â
Understandably, fans lauded Mooney on social media for her fine effort.
One wrote: Beth Mooney! Wow. That is just ridiculous.
Another said: âBeth Mooney is a cheat code to this already hacked Aussie team.â
Meanwhile, a third pointed out that this yearâs World Cup has featured a number of incredible catches.
âCannot remember a cricket tournament with so many screamers,â they said. âBeth Mooney at it again with a one-hander at square leg to dismiss Williams.âÂ
Mooney shows world-class credentials againÂ
Mooney has long been renowned as an outstanding fielder and has taken a number of spectacular catches in the past.Â
Yet, itâs her batting that is even more impressive. So far at this World Cup, the Aussie has been dismissed just twice in eight innings and averages 134. For comparison, this is more than double that of South Africaâs Laura Wolvaardt, who averages 61.85 in the tournament.
Mooney also has a habit of showing up for the big occasions and was named the Player of the Match in the 2020 Womenâs T20 World Cup final against India.Â
The 28-year-old is the number one ranked womenâs T20 player in the world right now and has scored more than 3000 international runs across all formats.
Can anyone stop Australia?
The short answer is, probably not. Australia have won all eight of their matches in this World Cup and havenât really looked like being beaten.
Captain Meg Lanning has frequently re-iterated that her side are chasing the âperfect performanceâ but the match against the West Indies could hardly have gone better.
âIt was certainly close,â she said. âI've been involved in some very stressful semi-finals in the past.
âWe can be very satisfied with today's performance in a big game up against a very dangerous team.â
In the other semi-final, England face South Africa, but the Aussies will fancy their chances against both sides, having recently thrashed England in the Ashes.Â
Lanningâs side are therefore heavy favourites for Sundayâs final and it seems as though it will take a near-miraculous performance to topple the pre-tournament favourites.