A double-century opening stand carried tournament favourites Australia to a commanding 157-run win over the West Indies on Wednesday and a place in the Women's World Cup final.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia dominated their rain-shortened semi-final in Wellington from the outset, built around a 216-run stand -- the highest of the tournament -- between experienced openers Alyssa Healy and Rachael Haynes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
An imposing score of 305 for three off a reduced 45 overs was never threatened by the West Indies, who succumbed for 148 in the 37th over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The six-time champions Australia are unbeaten at the 50-over tournament and will face either South Africa or 2017 winners England in the final in Christchurch on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Play started nearly two hours late because of misty rain and Healy, in particular, struggled for timing in the early stages after Australia were sent in on a damp Basin Reserve pitch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She accelerated as the sun came out, posting 129 off 107 balls to register a fourth one-day international century and fell four runs short of her career-best score.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The wicketkeeper-batter used her feet to excellent effect against the spin-based Caribbean attack, smashing 17 fours and a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She didn't hit a boundary until the 12th over but said Haynes had reminded her to remain patient.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I hope I've learned my lesson by now, that it doesn't necessarily have to happen all at once," Healy said. "I love batting with Rach, she's a calming influence."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Haynes compiled 85 off 100 balls while the late runs came via unbeaten knocks from captain Meg Lanning (26) and Beth Mooney (43).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was a disappointing performance from the sixth-ranked West Indies, who were loose in the field, dropping a handful of chances, and they struggled for momentum with the bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Captain Stefanie Taylor was their top scorer with a careful 48, but she lacked support after top-order pair Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews both departed for 34.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Their hopes weren't helped by injuries suffered in the field to bowlers Chinelle Henry and Anisa Mohammed, with neither able to bat, meaning Australia needed to take only eight wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Taylor said her players felt like they were on the back foot from the outset as Healy and Haynes established themselves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"A partnership like that deflates the team and, the pressure they applied, we couldn't get over that," she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"When you looked up, they were 100 without loss and all the dropped catches didn't help us."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lanning was relaxed that her team weren't pushed to the limit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I've been involved in some very stressful semi-finals in the past and we came in expecting a very difficult game," she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The West Indies bowled well at the front and put us under pressure but it was a good game plan we had, to build a good base."<\/p>\r\n\r\n