### Australia’s Women’s World Cup Semifinal: Healy’s Return and Starc’s Support In a highly anticipated semifinal clash of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, Australian captain Alyssa Healy made her return to the playing XI after recovering from a calf injury. The match, held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, saw Australia elect to bat first after winning the toss. Healy's presence is significant as she has been a key player for Australia, who are the defending champions and have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, her husband, fast bowler Mitchell Starc, was spotted at the stadium, showing his support for Healy and the Australian team during this crucial match against India. ### Match Overview and Key Changes 1. **Toss and Batting Decision**: - Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to bat first, a strategic decision aimed at setting a challenging target for India [https://24newshd.tv/30-Oct-2025/healy-returns-australia-bat-india-world-cup-semis]. 2. **Team Changes**: - Australia made two changes: Healy returned from injury, and Sophie Molineux was included in place of Georgia Wareham [https://thenewsmill.com/2025/10/australia-opts-to-bat-first-against-india-in-world-cup-semi-final-shafali-verma-returns-for-injured-pratika-rawal]. - India also made adjustments, bringing in Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, replacing the injured Pratika Rawal and Uma Chetry [https://www.cricketnmore.com/cricket-news/womens-world-cup-healy-back-as-australia-elect-to-bat-india-bring-in-shafali-richa-180800]. 3. **Context of the Match**: - Australia entered the semifinal with six wins out of seven matches in the league stage, while India aimed to leverage home advantage with a "fearless mindset" as stated by their captain Harmanpreet Kaur [https://24newshd.tv/30-Oct-2025/healy-returns-australia-bat-india-world-cup-semis]. ### Performance Metrics and Historical Context - **Australia's Track Record**: - Australia has a remarkable history in the Women’s World Cup, having won the tournament seven times and currently on a 15-match winning streak in ODIs [https://24newshd.tv/30-Oct-2025/healy-returns-australia-bat-india-world-cup-semis]. - **Healy’s Form**: - Prior to her injury, Healy had scored 294 runs in just four innings, averaging 98 with a strike rate of 131.25, highlighting her importance to the team [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/womens_world_cup_2025_alyssa_healy_set_to_return_for_semi_final_clash_against_india/s1_17726_42975745]. ### Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment in Women’s Cricket **The semifinal between Australia and India is not just a match; it represents a clash of cricketing titans with significant implications for both teams.** 1. **Healy’s Return**: Her comeback is crucial for Australia, who are looking to secure a place in the final and extend their dominance in women’s cricket. 2. **India’s Challenge**: With a strong lineup and the support of a home crowd, India aims to overcome their historical struggles against Australia in World Cup knockout stages. 3. **Starc’s Support**: The presence of Mitchell Starc adds a personal touch to the event, showcasing the supportive nature of sports families. As the match unfolds, both teams will be keenly aware of the stakes involved, with the winner advancing to face South Africa in the final [https://24newshd.tv/30-Oct-2025/healy-returns-australia-bat-india-world-cup-semis].