The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 moves into high gear with a mouth-watering encounter as defending champions Australia clash with their storied rivals, New Zealand, on October 1st at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM IST, this fixture promises a thrilling contest, rich with history, rivalry, and high stakes.
Form Guide – Australia
In 2025, Australia’s campaign has been relatively concise, featuring only 6 ODIs. Their year began with a dominant three-match series against England in January, where the Aussies secured a clean sweep, winning by 4 wickets, 21 runs, and 86 runs, showcasing their blend of batting depth and disciplined bowling.
Fast forward to September, Australia entered the World Cup build-up with a high-intensity three-match ODI series against India. They kicked off with a controlled and authoritative chase of 282. The second match, however, saw an unusual collapse as Australia were bundled out for 190, suffering a 102-run defeat — a rare stumble for the world champions.
Displaying true championship spirit, they bounced back in Delhi with a colossal 412 and they won by 43 runs against a spirited Indian side. Although their momentum was momentarily interrupted by a warm-up loss to England, who chased down 248 with ease, Australia remain poised and battle-ready for their opening World Cup assignment.
Form Guide – New Zealand
New Zealand’s 2025 season has been brief and mixed, featuring only 2 ODIs prior to the World Cup. Earlier in the year, they claimed a series victory over Sri Lanka, after the first ODI was washed out. The White Ferns then dominated the next two matches, winning by 78 and 98 runs, asserting their credentials on the international stage.
However, their form heading into the World Cup has been inconsistent. In September, New Zealand faced two challenging warm-up encounters, losing both by four wickets — first to India A (DLS) and then to India’s senior team (DLS). These setbacks have highlighted areas for improvement, and the White Ferns will be eager to regain their rhythm and confidence as they face the world champions in what promises to be a stern first test.
Head-to-Head:
- Total Matches – 135
- Australia Women Wins – 102
- New Zealand Women Wins – 31
Australia maintains a dominant record in this historic rivalry, with 102 victories in 135 encounters. Their most recent clash occurred in December 2024, where the Australians completed a 2-0 series triumph, winning by 65 runs and 75 runs, reinforcing their status as the team to beat.
This clash between Australia and New Zealand promises high drama, skill, and intensity. With the champions aiming to assert dominance and the White Ferns seeking redemption, fans can expect a thrilling encounter from start to finish.
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