Australia Dominates New Zealand by 89 Runs in ICC Women's World Cup 2025

Australia started their campaign in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 with a landslide victory over New Zealand. They thumped the Kiwis by a big margin of 89 runs in the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. The star of the match was all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who scored a match-winning 115 off 83 balls. The New Zealand captain Sophie Devine also batted well, as she scored 111 in 112 balls by smashing 12 fours and 3 sixes. Devine tried her best to chase the target, but Australia proved too strong, as they knew how to start the campaign to defend their title.

By electing to bat first, Australia was initially hampered when the two openers were dismissed cheaply, leaving the Australian team at 0-2 within the first over. But no one played a more important role in keeping the side afloat than Gardner, who struck important partnerships with Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, and Kim Garth. They worked together to make a big total of 326, which eventually became a big target for the Kiwis in the second innings. Not only did Gardner help her team recover in the century, but she also won the Player of the Match award.

New Zealand began its innings badly, as they lost two quick wickets without scoring anything in the pursuit of 327. When Amelia Kerr lost her wicket in the 20th over, this added even more early pressure on New Zealand, but Devine continued her brilliant work to keep the Black Caps alive. 

Unfortunately for New Zealand, frequent breakthroughs by Australia’s bowlers, most notably Annabel Sutherland (3/26) and Sophie Molineux (3/25), didn’t allow the New Zealanders to build any momentum. The middle and lower order could not cope with this disciplined attack, as New Zealand were dismissed at 237 in 43.2 overs, giving Australia a big win in their tournament opener.

Other than the century by Gardner, the Australian bowlers also made notable contributions. Sutherland and Molineux took three wickets each, keeping constant pressure on the Black Caps throughout the innings. 

New Zealand showed signs of resistance, particularly under the influence of Devine's efforts, but the gap was too wide to bridge. This victory will not only provide Australia a good beginning at the World Cup, but also showcase their experience and capability as World Cup champions.

The Australian openers gave the team a strong start. They scored 40 runs in five overs, as skipper Alyssa Healy made a quick 19 in 17 balls by smashing three fours. For New Zealand, Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr had six wickets between them, but it wasn’t enough to stop Australia from posting a challenging total and securing a massive 89-run victory.

The show by Gardner and the rest of the supporting team has set the tone for Australia’s title defence. Meanwhile, New Zealand will now need to realign and adjust its strategies in the next match to bounce back from this opening defeat.

Playing XIs:

Australia XI:

Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown

New Zealand XI: 

Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Bree Illing