(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Australia kicked off their Women’s World Cup title defense with a dominant 89-run win over New Zealand in Indore, India, on Wednesday. The match thrilled fans as the defending champions posted a strong 326 runs, while New Zealand managed only 237 in reply.
Ashleigh Gardner starred for Australia with her second ODI century, smashing 115 runs off 83 balls. Her knock came at a vital time, pulling Australia out of early trouble against New Zealand’s bowlers. Gardner shared a key 64-run partnership with Tahlia McGrath before both fell to Leah Tahuhu, who grabbed three wickets. Amelia Kerr added two more, including her 100th ODI wicket by dismissing Phoebe Litchfield—making her just the third New Zealand bowler to hit that milestone.
New Zealand’s bowlers struck early, too. Debutant Bree Illing removed captain Alyssa Healy in the powerplay, caught by Suzie Bates. Tahuhu then cleaned up Beth Mooney and McGrath, leaving Australia at 3-78. But Gardner’s firepower pushed the total higher, setting a tough target in this Women’s ODI World Cup clash.
In the chase, New Zealand crumbled fast. They lost two wickets in the first two overs: Georgie Plimmer run out after a mix-up with Bates, and Bates bowled by Sophie Molineux. Alana King struck next, removing Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday to break partnerships and leave skipper Sophie Devine fighting alone.
Devine put up a brave fight, blasting 112 runs to reach 4,000 ODI runs—the fourth New Zealander to do so. She and Amelia Kerr built a steady stand, giving chase hopes. But Maddy Green’s run out deepened the woes, marking the second such dismissal.
The turning point came when Annabel Sutherland ripped through New Zealand, taking three wickets in one over—including Devine, Jess Kerr, and Eden Carson. That sealed Australia’s victory in the Women’s Cricket World Cup opener, keeping New Zealand’s campaign in check despite Devine’s heroics.
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