The Trans-Tasman rivals, Australia, led by skipper Alyssa Healy, were up against New Zealand, led by skipper Sophie Devine, at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, in the 2nd game of the Women’s World Cup 2025. The Australian vice-captain called it a “Friendly Rivalry” in a press conference ahead of the contest.
Australian skipper pulled up a surprise, backing the youth with express pace in Darcie Brown ahead of a veteran in Megan Schutt, and backing the left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux to deliver straight away, returning from an injury, ahead of the leg-spinner Georgia Wareham in the starting 11 for Australia. The White Ferns displayed a similar selection strategy, backing the young left-arm pacer Bree Illing ahead of the experienced Rosemary Mair, who is most likely injured, in the starting 11.
Ashleigh Gardner’s 2nd ODI ton helps Australia breach the 300-run mark
The Australian openers, Phoebe Litchfield, in particular, alongside skipper Alyssa Healy, came out all guns blazing with a 40-run opening stand after the Australian skipper won the toss and opted to bat first in Indore. The pair scored at a rate of 8 runs an over. The young left-armer Bree Illing got the big scalp of the opposition skipper Alyssa Healy (19 off 17 balls) in the 5th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for New Zealand.
Ellyse Perry joined Phoebe Litchfield at the crease, and the duo continued to take the positive approach, keeping the momentum intact with another vital 41-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, which took them closer to the 100-run mark. The introduction of the leg-spinner Amelia Kerr worked straightaway from skipper Sophie Devine as she struck a crucial blow on the first delivery of her spell, sending ominous Phoebe Litchfield (45 off 31 balls) back to the pavilion in the 11th over of the innings. It was also Amelia’s 100th scalp in the format, becoming the youngest and the fastest White Fern player to achieve the landmark.
New Zealand bounced back with multiple strikes to reduce Australia to 128/5 in the 22nd over of the innings. Vice-captain Tahlia McGrath joined Ashleigh Gardner at the crease, and the duo steadied the ship with a much-needed 64-run partnership for the 6th wicket, which also took them closer to the 200-run mark. Lea Tahuhu broke the stand, by sending Tahlia McGrath (26 off 34 balls) back to the pavilion in the 32nd over of the innings, providing the 6th breakthrough for her side.
Ashleigh Gardner switched gears en route to the 47-run stand alongside Sophie Molineux (14 off 19 balls), followed by another decisive 69-run stand 8th wicket, alongside Kim Garth (38 off 37 balls). Ashleigh Gardner registered her maiden century in the ODI World Cup and her 2nd in the format (115 off 83 balls), taking Australia into a commanding position in the contest.
However, the White Ferns wrestled back some momentum, heading into the innings break, wrapping Australia up for 326, with three balls to spare. It also marked the first time since 23rd December 2000 that New Zealand managed to bundle Australia out, within the full quota of overs in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. Ellyse Perry (33 off 41 balls) chipped in with a decent contribution with the bat for Australia.
Lea Tahuhu (8-0-42-3), Jess Kerr (8.3-0-59-3), and Amelia Kerr (10-0-54-2) were the stand-out performers with the ball for New Zealand. Bree Illing (9-0-75-2) was impressive on her ODI World Cup debut for her side.
Sophie Devine’s century in vain, New Zealand ran out of steam against Australia
Losing both the in-form openers, Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates, inside the first couple of overs, without a run on the board, gave White Ferns the worst possible start chasing a stiff total of 327. The experienced duo of Amelia Kerr and skipper Sophie Devine weathered the storm and settled the nerves in the camp with a much-needed 75-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
Amelia Kerr (33 off 56 balls), in her attempt to switch gears, handed an easy catch to Phoebe Litchfield at extra cover. Alana King provided the crucial 3rd breakthrough for Australia in the 20th over of the run chase. Brooke Halliday joined skipper Sophie Devine at the crease, and the duo were going at a brisk rate en route to their 52-run partnership for the 4th wicket, keeping the required rate under control.
Alana King returned and landed another body blow, sending Brookie Halliday (28 off 38 balls), who lost her shape, looking for the big hit, resulting in another catch to Phoebe Litchfield, giving Aussies the 4th breakthrough in the 30th over of the run chase. Skipper Sophie Devine switched gears, en route to the 37-run partnership for the 5th wicket, before a misunderstanding between the duo ended Maddy Green’s (20 off 18 balls) promising stay at the crease courtesy of an unfortunate run out.
The breakthrough allowed Australia to get firmly back into the contest. It didn’t take long for skipper Alyssa Healy to put the squeeze on. Another promising 54-run partnership for the 6th wicket, between Isabella Gaze and skipper Sophie Devine, just about kept them interested in the contest. Sophie Molineux landed another blow to the White Ferns hopes by sending Isabella Gaze (28 off 18 balls) back to the pavilion in the 41st over of the run chase.
Skipper Sophie Devine (111 off 112 balls) single-handedly kept the fight on for her side, registering her 9th century, and 1st against Australia in the format. She also became only the 2nd White Ferns skipper after Suzie Bates to score a century against Australia in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. A triple strike from Annabel Sutherland, including the wicket of the opposition skipper in the 43rd over of the run chase, shut the door completely for New Zealand in the run chase.
New Zealand lost their last three wickets for just 2 runs; as a result, they were bundled out for 237, with 40 balls to spare, falling 89 runs short of the target. Annabel Sutherland (9-1-26-3), Sophie Molineux (8.2-1-25-3), and Alana King (8-1-44-2) were the stars with the ball for Australia.
Ashleigh Gardner was awarded the Player of the Match for her crucial century (115 off 83 balls) under pressure for her side. The New Zealand batters showed impressive character after being pushed on the back foot early on in the run chase; however, it wasn’t to be the case for them this time around.
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