Defending champions Australia launched their Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 campaign in emphatic style, thrashing New Zealand by 89 runs in Indore. It was a complete performance, built around a blistering century from Ashleigh Gardner and backed up by ruthless bowling.
Australia, batting first after winning the toss, posted a commanding 326 in 49.3 overs. The innings had its share of turbulence, with the defending champions slipping to 128 for 5 after a flurry of wickets. But Gardner, walking in under pressure, produced one of the finest knocks of her career — an unbeaten 115 off just 83 deliveries. Her innings included 16 boundaries and a towering six, showcasing both control and aggression. This was not just her career-best in ODIs but also a landmark achievement, as she became the first batter in Women’s World Cup history to score a century batting at No. 6 or lower.
Gardner found valuable support in Tahlia McGrath and the lower order, rebuilding the innings and ensuring Australia reached a total well beyond par on a surface offering something for both batters and bowlers. Earlier, opener Phoebe Litchfield had set the tone with a quickfire 45 off 31 balls, but a middle-order wobble threatened to derail Australia until Gardner’s brilliance steadied the ship.
New Zealand’s reply was disastrous from the outset. The White Ferns slumped to 0 for 2 within two overs — Georgia Plimmer was run out without facing a ball and veteran Suzie Bates was bowled for a duck. Their chase never truly recovered from that nightmare start. Captain Sophie Devine attempted a lone rescue act, compiling a magnificent 111 off 112 balls, decorated with 12 fours and three sixes. While her knock briefly kept New Zealand’s hopes alive, the lack of meaningful support from the rest of the lineup meant Australia remained firmly in control.
The bowling attack, led by Sophie Molineux (3 for 25) and Annabel Sutherland (3 for 26), ensured there were no slip-ups. Alana King chipped in with 2 for 44, while Sutherland’s game-changing over — where she removed Devine and two others — completely broke New Zealand’s resistance. From that moment, the result was inevitable, as New Zealand folded well short of their target.
For Australia, this victory underlined why they remain the most feared side in women’s cricket. Their batting depth, ability to recover under pressure, and versatile bowling options make them formidable contenders to defend their crown. Gardner’s knock was not only match-defining but also a statement of intent, setting the tone for the rest of the campaign.
New Zealand, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. Devine’s lone effort was inspiring, but early batting collapses and inconsistent middle-order contributions remain areas of concern. With tougher matches ahead, they will need to find both stability and intent if they wish to challenge the tournament’s heavyweights.
As the dust settles on the opening clash, one thing is clear: Australia have arrived with authority, and their quest for back-to-back World Cup titles is already off to a flying start.
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