Jemimah's ton guides India to historic CWC25 Final spot to face South Africa

Jemimah Rodrigues compiled a stunning century as India beat Australia to clinch their place in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Final.

Scoring 119 off 93 deliveries, the innings saw India chase down a record down a record total in Women's ODI history.

The 25-year-old put in a magnificent effort with the bat, scoring her first Cricket World Cup century in India's chase at Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Jemimah would stitch together a crucial partnership with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur to keep India in the contest against Australia.

Earlier, a smart tactical DRS employed by skipper Alyssa Healy helped Australia register their second wicket, that of Smriti Mandhana.

The India opener had to walk back in the dressing room after the replay indicated she had nicked one behind off Kim Garth, claimed behind the stumps by Healy.

The wicket came after India had pushed back with the bat following an early dismissal as Mandhana and Jemimah combined for a second-wicket stand. The duo helped India cross past the 50-run mark in the powerplay.

The partnership would help India recover from Kim Garth notching the wicket of Shafali Verma as Australia opened their account with the ball in the semi-final.

In the first innings, Phoebe Litchfield scored a spectacular maiden Cricket World Cup ton as Australia secured a mammoth total of 339 against India.

After Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, Kranti Gaud struck early to nab the all-important wicket of Australia captain Healy to provide India with their opening breakthrough.

However, Litchfield took a counter-attacking approach to bring up her half-century. She was duly complemented by veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry at the other end as the pair helped Australia cross the 100-run mark.

The left-handed batter brought up her century in the 24th over off just 80 deliveries, putting the defending champions in firm control of the semi-final.

With Australia cruising at 180/1 after 27.1 overs, Amanjot Kaur picked the prized wicket of Litchfield (119) to break a mammoth second-wicket partnership for the defending champions.

Sree Charani then, notched successive wickets, removing Beth Mooney, courtesy of a sharp Rodrigues catch at cover.

The tweaker then dismissed Annabel Sutherland to reduce Australia to four wickets down.

Perry (77), who had held her end for the majority of Aussie innings, would then succumb to Radha Yadav, who cleaned her up.

Jemimah continued to contribute in the field as she affected the run-out of Annabel Sutherland with a well-timed throw from the edge of the 30-yard circle at extra-cover.

Late fireworks from Ash Gardner, who scored 63 off 54 deliveries, ensured that Australia crossed the 300-run milestone.

For India, Deepti Sharma would close the innings with a brace of wickets. However, it was Sree Charani, who was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/49.

For Australia, captain Healy was back after a two-match break with Sophie Molineux replacing Georgia Wareham. On the other hand, India are without their in-form opener Pratika Rawal who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Shafali Verma replaces her in the playing XI even as Kranti Gaud and Richa Ghosh are back in.

The two sides had earlier met in Visakhapatnam, where Australia pulled off a run chase for the ages as they chased down India's 331-run target - the highest run chase ever in Women's ODIs - until now.

Both sets of players wore black armbands in their semi-final as a tribute to teenage cricketer Ben Austin, who passed away following an accident while batting in the nets in Melbourne.

A statement from the Austin family said: "We are utterly devastated by the passing of our beautiful Ben, who died earlier on Thursday morning.

"For Tracey and I, Ben was an adored son, deeply loved brother to Cooper and Zach and a shining light in the lives of our family and friends.

"This tragedy has taken Ben from us, but we find some comfort that he was doing something he did for so many summers – going down to the nets with mates to play cricket. He loved cricket and it was one of the joys of his life.

"We would also like to support his teammate who was bowling in the nets – this accident has impacted two young men and our thoughts are with he and his family as well."

Cricket Australia said it was "devastated" by the news, with CEO Todd Greenberg adding, "The death of a young cricketer practicing to play the game he loved is an absolutely tragic event and our hearts go out to Ben's family, friends and teammates at this very sad time.

"We are working with Cricket Victoria to ensure there will be appropriate recognition of Ben at tomorrow night's T20 International at the MCG.

"Cricket Victoria and the broader Australian cricket community are rallying around Austin’s family and teammates, offering support during this incredibly difficult period."

Fixtures and Results - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v England (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati) - England won by 10 wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore) - SA won by six wickets

Thursday @ 11.30am - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by three wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by three wickets

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo) - SA won by 10 wickets (DLS)

Tuesday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo) - SA won by 150 runs (DLS)

Saturday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore) - Australia won by seven wickets

Wednesday @ 11.30am - Semi-final 1 England v South Africa (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by 125 runs

Thursday @ 11.30am - Semi-final 2 Australia v India (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai) - India win by five wickets

Sunday @ 11.30am - Final South Africa v India (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)