A jaw-dropping crowd of 86, 174 people packed into the MCG to watch the highly anticipated final, setting a record for the largest crowd ever at a women’s sport event in Australia and the highest for a women’s cricket match globally. The number fell just short of the world record for a women’s sporting event, 90 186, which was set at the 1999 soccer World Cup final.
No words pic.twitter.com/uRDTLEBKDE
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 8, 2020
The game started on a high after Australia won the toss and opted to bat first, with Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney delivery a partnership that won’t be forgotten in a rush.
Healy, who was awarded player of the match, shone in the spotlight for the Australia, scoring 75 from just 39 balls. Her half-century from 30 balls became the fastest half-century scored in the final of any ICC limited-overs competition, male or female.
Her back-to-back sixes in the eighth over had the crowd on their feet and she also managed to smash the biggest six in the tournament, an 83-metre hit.
Mooney, who outlasted Healy on the pitch, scored 78 not out, and hit her half-century from 41 balls. She was named player of the tournament.
“I don’t think anything is ever going to top that,” Healy said after her innings.
“I hope there’s girls in this team that are going to experience that for a long period of time, but for me I never thought we’d get the opportunity to do something as cool as what we did today and play in front of almost 90,000 people at the MCG in a World Cup final.
“It’s a dream come true and for me I enjoyed every single minute, I don’t think you saw me without a smile on my face the whole time.”
Australia ended their innings with a score of 4-184.
🙌 Player of the @T20WorldCup Final at the @MCG !!!
🌟 @ahealy77 7⃣5⃣ from 3⃣9⃣ balls !!#T20WorldCup | #INDvAUS | #CmonAussie 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/HSySgo6ioz
— Sydney Sixers WBBL (@SixersWBBL) March 8, 2020
When India came out to bat, the hosts showed no signs of slowing down. Australia’s bowlers outclassed India at every turn, taking wicket after wicket until India was bowled out.
Australia’s win topped off an already extraordinary day for women’s sport. The turnout of more than 86 000, on International Women’s Day no less, has been lauded a turning point for women’s sport internationally.
After the game, Healy commented on what the crowd turnout meant to her, saying, “A little tear came into my eye when the Mexican wave was going round…I never thought we’d get to experience anything like this.”
An unforgettable night at the MCG. Thank you to every single person who came along! https://t.co/xzGAU1bYWy pic.twitter.com/fr3izJrVBX
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 8, 2020
Music superstar Katy Perry performed pre and post match, dancing with the Australian team on stage after the win. Check out the video below for the heart-warming performance you don’t want to have missed.
That’s how you celebrate a win. pic.twitter.com/vEUsUTINZ1
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) March 8, 2020
Meg Lanning hugging Katy Perry. pic.twitter.com/NIcPlHGci4
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 8, 2020
Was that even real?! pic.twitter.com/ZNOm5JGOvP
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 8, 2020