Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
Wednesday Oct 22, 2025
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Ashleigh Gardner scored her maiden ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 century of 115 runs off 83 balls
Defending champions Australia began their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2025 campaign with a commanding 89-run win over New Zealand at the Holkar Stadium in Indore yesterday, bowling them out for 237.
New Zealand never found momentum in the chase despite a valiant effort from Sophie Devine, who struck a fighting 112 off 112 balls. Once she departed, Australia’s bowlers wrapped things up quickly with Sophie Molineux (25-3) and Annabel Sutherland (26-3) sharing the last five wickets to seal a comprehensive victory while Alana King (44-2) also bagged crucial wickets.
Sutherland turned the tide decisively in Australia’s favour, claiming three wickets in a single over. Along with Devine, she also removed Jess Kerr and Eden Carson, leaving New Zealand with little resistance in the closing stages.
New Zealand’s struggles deepened when Maddy Green was run out after another mix-up, the second such dismissal of the innings. The setback came soon after King had struck twice, removing Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday to break crucial partnerships, leaving Sophie Devine short of support at the other end.
Their chase of 327 began on a disastrous note as they lost two wickets inside the first two overs with Georgie Plimmer and Suzie Bates out for ducks
However, walking in at 0-2, Sophie Devine offered New Zealand hope in their big chase, standing firm even as wickets tumbled around her.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Ashleigh Gardner (115 of 83 balls) steered Australia past the 300 mark after a shaky start against New Zealand with her second ODI ton which arrived at a crucial stage when wickets were tumbling regularly. The defending champions eventually closed their innings with 326 runs on the board.
Earlier in the first innings, New Zealand had Australia reeling thanks to Leah Tahuhu (42-3). She dismissed Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney before removing Tahlia McGrath, breaking a 64-run partnership with Gardner. Amelia Kerr (54-2) added to the pressure, claiming the wickets of Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield. Jess Kerr (59-3) claimed the last three wickets for New Zealand while Breearne Illing (75-2) struck with two wickets, including that of Gardner.
Litchfield’s wicket was a milestone moment for Kerr, as it brought up her 100th in Women’s ODIs, making her only the third New Zealand bowler to reach the landmark.
Earlier, playing in her first CWC, Illing removed Australia Captain Healy early on in New Zealand’s opening game of the tournament. But even as partnerships around her crumbled, Gardner stood strong and struck a crucial century to power Australia to a formidable total.
Defending champions Australia, one of the prime contenders for the title, will look to bag their second win when they take on Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday. Meanwhile, New Zealand will once again play at the Holkar Stadium as they look to regroup against South Africa on 6 October.
