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- Australia vs New Zealand highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Australia beat New Zealand by 89 runs in Indore
Australia vs New Zealand highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Australia beat New Zealand by 89 runs in Indore
Molineux’s inclusion means veteran pacer Megan Schutt misses out, with Australia opting for the raw pace of Darcie Brown alongside Kim Garth. The seven-time world champions and defending title holders will be looking to start their campaign on a strong note in what is also the venue’s first-ever women’s international match.
“Just put some runs on the board and see what happens. There's a possibility it could get better later but it didn't happen last night. We played some really tough games of cricket in tough conditions. We're ready to go. The group is in a great place. We're looking at getting better at every single opportunity we get. Want to improve, want to take women's cricket forward,” Healy said at the toss.
New Zealand, meanwhile, are playing their first ODI in six months. Captain Sophie Devine admitted she would have preferred to bat first as well but remained optimistic about her team’s chances.
“But fresh wicket, start of the tournament, not very concerned. I think we've got a great balance within the side. Experience through the batting order in Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, really balanced group,” she said.
“Just grateful for the opportunity to come out here again and represent my country. Fills me with pride. Obviously results are important, but what matters most to me is the people around me,” Devine added.
Playing XIs
Australia: Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Bree Illing
Sophie Devine to Ashleigh Gardner, Short and wide outside off, Ashleigh Gardner goes for the cut but misses out. Ash is livid with herself as the field on off was inside the circle.
Sophie Devine to Ashleigh Gardner, WIDE! Good length, down the leg. Ashleigh Gardner leaves it. Wided.
Sophie Devine to Ashleigh Gardner, FOUR! Ash finds the fence for four to start the 44th over. On a length around middle and off, Ashleigh Gardner stays onto her back foot and punches this through the extra cover region for four runs. Ashleigh Gardner moves to 90.
- Ashleigh Gardner 86 (69)
- Kim Garth 14 (19)
Eden Carson to Ashleigh Gardner, Sort of a length on middle and leg, Ashleigh Gardner smashes this on the bounce to deep square for one.
Eden Carson to Ashleigh Gardner, Tossed up around off, Ashleigh Gardner drives this to point for no run.
Eden Carson to Kim Garth, Fuller on off, Kim Garth drills this to long on for another single. The boundaries have dried up for Australia Women in the last few overs.
Eden Carson to Kim Garth, Wrong'un around leg. Kim Garth nudges this to square leg for no run.
Eden Carson to Ashleigh Gardner, Fuller on off, Ashleigh Gardner gets it away to long on for one.
Eden Carson to Kim Garth, Floated onto the pads, Kim Garth tucks this through square leg for one.
- Kim Garth 12 (16)
- Ashleigh Gardner 84 (66)
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, A tidy over from Lea. Full toss on the pads, Kim Garth nudges this through mid-wicket and takes one. Lea Tahuhu is walking off the field after completing the over. She is down the ground at sidelines now and is getting some treatment from the physio.
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, On a length around middle and off, Kim Garth rolls this to mid on for no run.
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, WIDE! On a length down the leg, Kim Garth goes for the flick but misses out. Wided.
Lea Tahuhu to Ashleigh Gardner, Low full toss on middle and off, Ashleigh Gardner flicks this through square leg for one.
Lea Tahuhu to Ashleigh Gardner, Good length wide of off, Ashleigh Gardner pushes this back to the bowler.
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, Good length around the pads, Kim Garth tucks this through mid-wicket for a runs.
Lea Tahuhu to Ashleigh Gardner, On a length, around the pads, Ashleigh Gardner flicks this down to long on for a single.
- Ashleigh Gardner 82 (63)
- Kim Garth 10 (13)
Amelia Kerr to Ashleigh Gardner, Tossed up on middle and leg, Ashleigh Gardner gently drills this to long on for a single. Amelia Kerr ends her spell with figures of 10-0-54-2.
Amelia Kerr to Kim Garth, Fuller on the pads, Kim Garth flicks this through square leg for a single.
Amelia Kerr to Kim Garth, Fuller on off, Kim Garth hops onto her back foot and blocks this out.
Amelia Kerr to Kim Garth, Fuller on off, Kim Garth defends this out.
Amelia Kerr to Ashleigh Gardner, Flighted around off, Ashleigh Gardner drives this off the inside of her bat towards cover for one.
Amelia Kerr to Ashleigh Gardner, Amelia Kerr dishes a googly on off, Ashleigh Gardner cuts this to backward point for no run.
- Kim Garth 9 (10)
- Ashleigh Gardner 80 (60)
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, Angled on the pads, full in length. Kim Garth tilts forward and steers it to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.
Lea Tahuhu to Ashleigh Gardner, Just short! Fractionally fuller in length, on middle. Ashleigh Gardner charges down the track and lofts it over mid-wicket. Amelia Kerr runs to her left from deep mid-wicket and collects it on a couple of bounces. They cross for a single. 250 UP FOR AUSTRALIA WOMEN!
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, Back of a length, outside off. Kim Garth gets on the back foot and guides it through the vacant backward point region for an easy single.
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, WIDE! She will have to reload that one! Spilled down leg, full in length. Kim Garth tries to flick that away, but misses by a whisker. Wide called.
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, Hard length, skidding through, on off. Kim Garth plays from the crease and tucks it across the line to mid-wicket.
Lea Tahuhu to Kim Garth, Aimed at the pegs, on a length. Kim Garth stays put and blocks it back to the bowler.
Lea Tahuhu to Ashleigh Gardner, Full and on the leg stump. Ashleigh Gardner flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
- Kim Garth 6 (6)
- Ashleigh Gardner 78 (58)
Amelia Kerr to Kim Garth, Lands it halfway onto the pitch, on off. Kim Garth stands tall and bunts it down the pitch.
Amelia Kerr to Kim Garth, Slows it up, on a dragged length, outside off. Kim Garth sways the bat inside the line to leave.
Amelia Kerr to Kim Garth, FOUR! PUNISHED! Drag-downer from Amelia, on middle and leg. Kim Garth reads the length and pulls it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a cracking boundary!
Amelia Kerr to Kim Garth, Full and on middle, drifting in. Kim Garth defends off the front foot, but the ball goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket.
Amelia Kerr to Ashleigh Gardner, Full and a googly, on the stumps, Ashleigh Gardner clips off the inside half of the bat through mid-wicket for a single.
Amelia Kerr to Kim Garth, Length ball, on the pads, drifting in further. Kim Garth steers it to deep square leg for a single.
Amelia Kerr (8-0-45-2) is back on.
Kim Garth is in at number 9.
- Kim Garth 1 (1)
- Ashleigh Gardner 77 (57)
Jess Kerr to Kim Garth, Length-delivery, going down leg, Kim Garth helps it behind to deep fine leg for a single.
Jess Kerr to Sophie Molineux, OUT! IN THE AIR AND CAUGHT! Just when Australia Women were looking very threatening, Jess Kerr has put an end to this 47-run partnership for the seventh wicket! Serves it full, does Jess, around the off stump. Sophie Molineux clears the front leg and attempts to sail it over long on, but does not get the timing right and the ball goes towards Sophie Devine, stationed at long on where she judges the ball's trajectory to perfection and takes a fine catch in front of the boundary ropes. Sophie Molineux departs for 14 (19) and Australia Women are 239/7 down now.
Jess Kerr to Sophie Molineux, Curving away from the batter, on a length. Sophie Molineux leans back and cuts it to cover-point.
Jess Kerr to Ashleigh Gardner, Fuller ball, on the leg stump line. Ashleigh Gardner flicks it to deep mid-wicket for an easy single.
Jess Kerr to Ashleigh Gardner, FOUR! In full control on this occasion! Too full and outside off. Ashleigh Gardner uses the width offered by Jess and drives it crisply through the gap between mid off and extra cover for a boundary.
Jess Kerr to Ashleigh Gardner, FOUR! A bit streaky, but runs are runs! Fullish delivery, jagging back onto the pads. Ashleigh Gardner rocks back and shapes to pull, but the ball stays low and goes off the inside edge of the bat and races behind to deep fine leg for a boundary.
- Ashleigh Gardner 68 (54)
- Sophie Molineux 14 (17)
Eden Carson to Ashleigh Gardner, Lands it full and on middle, Ashleigh Gardner turns it along the ground to the square leg region for a single. A very productive over for Australia Women! 9 runs off it. Eden Carson's figures read 4-0-26-0 so far.
Eden Carson to Sophie Molineux, Quick tap and run! Sliding away from the middle stump, on a fullish length. Sophie Molineux leans forward and slices it to cover-point for single.
Eden Carson to Ashleigh Gardner, Length, outside off, Ashleigh Gardner rocks back and cuts it away to deep point for one more.
Eden Carson to Ashleigh Gardner, FOUR! Up and over! She has made batting look so easy! Serves a genuine half volley, does Carson, around off. Ashleigh Gardner shimmies down the track and majestically lofts it over mid off for a cracking boundary! Moves to 66 off 52, does Gardner!
Eden Carson to Sophie Molineux, Pushed through, on middle and leg, from around the stumps. Sophie Molineux stays leg side and punches it wide of mid off for a single.
Eden Carson to Ashleigh Gardner, Shortish delivery, drifting on the pads. Ashleigh Gardner rocks back and pulls it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a single.
- Sophie Molineux 12 (15)
- Ashleigh Gardner 61 (50)
Jess Kerr to Sophie Molineux, She drives this full ball to extra cover. 4 from this over. Just 5 runs from the last two overs for Australia Women!
With Sophie coming in, veteran pacer Megan Schutt has been left out, as Australia have opted to go with out-and-out pace of Darcie Brown alongside Megan Schutt. Australia are seven-time world champions and reigning holders of the trophy. They are aiming to begin their title defence in what is also the venue’s first international women’s game.
“Just put some runs on the board and see what happens. There's a possibility it could get better later but it didn't happen last night. We played some really tough games of cricket in tough conditions. We're ready to go. The group is in a great place. We're looking at getting better at every single opportunity we get. Want to improve, want to take women's cricket forward,” she said.
On the other hand, New Zealand are playing an ODI after six months and captain Sophie Devine said she would have elected to bat first too. “But fresh wicket, start of the tournament, not very concerned. I think we've got a great balance within the side. Experience through the batting order in Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, really balanced group.”
“Just grateful for the opportunity to come out here again and represent my country. Fills me with pride. Obviously results are important, but what matters most to me is the people around me,” she said.
Playing XIs-
Australia: Alyssa Healy (captain & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Kim Garth, and Darcie Brown
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (captain), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, and Bree Illing
Match Statistics
Venue
Holkar Stadium, Indore
