She showed her class today by blasting 17 fours and a six in her 107-ball innings, and said she was thrilled to be playing in a World Cup final.
"It's really cool. It's obviously what we set out to do, coming into this World Cup. We wanted to be there at Hagley Oval on the third [of April]," said Healy.
"It's been at the forefront of our minds. This was just another stepping stone to that. I thought the girls played outstanding, given the conditions that were thrown at us.
"I thought everyone did an amazing job."
Healy was slow to start, making 11 from her first 29 balls before smashing her next 89 runs off just 62 deliveries.
She hit a no-ball for six to move to 94, hit the resultant free hit for four to move to 98 and got to triple figures with a couple of singles.
The match was reduced to 45 overs after rain delayed the start and a misty fog remained when the game began and Australia were sent in to bat.
Haynes was dismissed for 89, falling short of what would have been her third hundred of the World Cup, just after Healy's exit, before Beth Mooney (43 not out) and Lanning (26 not out) guided Australia to the imposing total.
The West Indies were out to defy history and chase down Australia's total, which even with the reduced overs was still the highest in a women's World Cup knockout match.
But a spectacular one-handed catch by Mooney left the challengers reeling. They finished the powerplay at 39-1 but couldn't overcome the Aussie attack, who combined for a true team effort.
Stafanie Taylor top scored with 48, but when she was caught by Jess Jonassen off the bowling of Alana King, the Windies were forced to end their innings early, with two players injured and unable to bat.
The West Indies sputtered their way to 148-8; not even halfway to Australia's total.
Australia will now meet either England or South Africa, who play tomorrow, in the final.
- news.com.au
