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Litchfield ton guides Australia to 338 in World Cup semis / Photo: © AFP
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Litchfield ton guides Australia to 338 in World Cup semis
Opener Phoebe Litchfield hit a sparkling century to steer Australia to a mammoth total of 338 against India in the second semi-final of the Women's World Cup on Thursday.
After Australia elected to bat in overcast conditions, Litchfield smashed 119 off 93 balls as the seven-time champions racked up the runs at the DY Patil Stadium.
Hosts India struck regular blows after a second-wicket partnership of 155 between Litchfield and Ellyse Perry, who made 77 after overturning an early lbw decision.
But Ashleigh Gardner ensured that Australia's good start did not go to waste as she contributed a brisk 63 before the last three wickets fell in the final over.
Spinners Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma took two wickets each.
Australia's Alyssa Healy returned as captain after she missed the team's last two league matches, but she scored just five before being bowled by Kranti Gaud.
Healy's wicket followed a brief rain interruption but Litchfield stood firm and took the attack to the opposition with some delightful hitting that included 17 fours and three sixes from the left-hander.
The 22-year-old Litchfield hit a four off Charani to reach her first World Cup century and third in ODI cricket. She launched two sixes off Deepti before Amanjot Kaur bowled her while attempting a lap sweep.
Perry and Beth Mooney, who made 24, attempted to rebuild but Charani hit back with two quick wickets to raise India's hopes of a turnaround in the innings.
A nearly packed house at the 45,000-capacity stadium erupted when left-arm spinner Radha Yadav bowled Perry, but Gardner had other ideas.
Gardner tore into the attack in the final few overs as she hit four fours and four sixes.
Both teams wore black armbands in support of promising 17-year-old Australian cricketer Ben Austin, who died Thursday after being struck with a ball while training in Melbourne.
India have twice been runners-up, in 2005 and 2017 -- when they beat Australia in the semi-finals before losing to England.
Since that semi-final defeat Australia have recorded 15 ODI World Cup wins in a row.
The winner will face South Africa, who beat England in the first knockout tie, in the final at the same venue on Sunday.
A. de Almeida--JDB
