The T20 World Cup final on Sunday broke the world record for the highest attendance at a women’s cricket match after more than 86,000 turned up to cheer for Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the final attendance at 86,174 which is also the highest attendance ever for a women’s sporting event in Australia.
But the final itself failed to live up to expectations as Australia crushed India in a totally one-sided game with Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy and Megan Schutts leading the way for the Southern Stars.
The hosts dominated proceedings from the word go after Meg Lanning won the toss and opted to bat first.
Healy and Mooney gave Australia the perfect start with an opening partnership of 115 runs inside 12 overs before India managed the first breakthrough thanks to Radha Yadav, who sent back the Aussie wicketkeeper for 75.
Healy briefly held the record for the highest individual score in a Women’s T20 World Cup final before Mooney surpassed her with 78 not out as Australia reached 184 for 4 from their allotted 20 overs.
Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen then led the way with the ball, sharing 7 wickets between themselves as Australia bowled India out for 99 in 19.1 overs to win the match by 85 runs. Australia stretched their record of T20 World Cup triumphs with their 5th title.
Even the Aussie players were bowled over by the crowd support and thanked the fans for turning up in such large numbers after they secured the win.
“Thanks to the 86,000 people that came out tonight, it was something incredibly special,” Healy said after being adjudged Player of the Match.
