Australia Women outclassed New Zealand by 89 runs in Match 2 of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 at Indore, India. A blazing century from Ashleigh Gardner powered Australia to a total of 326 runs. Lea Tahuhu (3/42 in 8 overs) and Jess Kerr (3/59 in 8.3 overs) played key roles in restricting Australia from crossing 350 on a batting-friendly surface.

While chasing, New Zealand lost early wickets. Sophie Devine fought a lone battle and scored a superb century. However, dangerous spells from Sophie Molineux (3/25 in 8.2 overs) and Annabel Sutherland (3/26 in 9 overs) bowled New Zealand out for 237 in 43.2 overs. Amelia Kerr tried to resist the Australian bowlers but her efforts were not enough. Izzy Gaze struck a few shots towards the end, but the fight fell short as New Zealand Women lost the match by 89 runs.

Gardner Lifts Australia from Trouble

Australia launched their World Cup campaign in Indore with a commanding victory. They defeated New Zealand by 89 runs in a game highlighted by two outstanding centuries. Ashleigh Gardner produced the match-winning knock, while Sophie Devine’s valiant effort went in vain.

Australia were struggling at 128 for 5 when Gardner took charge. She smashed 115 runs from 83 balls, guiding her team to 326. The total was always going to be tough as no team had ever chased more than 302 in women’s ODIs.

Strong Start but Middle-Order Collapse

Opting to bat first, Australia began with intent. Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield looked positive. Litchfield, in particular, used her feet against the bowlers and attacked the off side. She carried on even after Healy’s early dismissal, putting up runs with Ellyse Perry.

At 81 for 1 in the powerplay, Australia looked settled. But Amelia Kerr changed the momentum in the ninth over. She bowled a perfect googly to dismiss Litchfield, earning her 100th ODI wicket.

New Zealand tightened the screws afterward, giving away just 20 runs in the next seven overs. Perry fell to Lea Tahuhu, Annabel Sutherland to Kerr, and Beth Mooney cheaply, leaving Australia in deep trouble.

Gardner Turns the Game Around

From that point, Gardner played with full authority. She got off the mark with a crisp drive over extra cover and continued to attack both spinners and pacers. She hammered Amelia Kerr for a six to reach her half-century off 43 balls.

Even as wickets kept falling, Gardner refused to slow down. She raced to her century in just 34 more balls and received loud cheers from the 8,900 fans at Indore, which was hosting its first women’s ODI.

Early Blows Hurt New Zealand

Chasing 327, New Zealand had a disastrous start. Georgia Plimmer was run out without facing a ball in the very first over. Sophie Molineux, making her ODI return after injury, struck next by dismissing Suzie Bates for a duck.

At 24 for 2 after nine overs, New Zealand were under pressure. Kerr tried to break free with boundaries off Darcie Brown, but struggled to rotate strike. She crawled to 33 off 55 before Alana King removed her.

Devine’s Lone Resistance

With wickets tumbling, Devine stood firm. She hit Gardner straight for six and reached her half-century from 69 balls. Brooke Halliday supported briefly with a quick 28 but also fell to King.

By then, the required run rate had shot up to ten an over. Devine, however, kept attacking. She punished Brown in the 36th over with four straight boundaries and soon reached her ninth ODI hundred with a six over midwicket.

Australia Seal the Win

Despite Devine’s heroics, New Zealand’s chase unraveled in the 43rd over. Sutherland struck thrice, removing Devine, Jess Kerr, and Eden Carson in the same over. That ended New Zealand’s resistance.

Molineux then wrapped up the innings, finishing with 3 for 25 on her comeback. New Zealand were bowled out for 237 in 43.2 overs, leaving Australia victorious by 89 runs.

Brief Scorecard