A solid century from Ashleigh Gardner has helped Australia to post 326 runs against New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup 2025 on October 01 at Holkar Stadium.

Her 115-run knock has helped the side to post a mammoth total against New Zealand. Batting first, Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield opened the innings for Australia while Bree Illing opened the bowling attack.

Bree Illing went on to bag the wicket of Alyssa Healy for 19 runs. With Litchfield and Ellyse Perry at crease, Australia went on to score 81 runs in the powerplay.

However Lea Tahuhu went on to bag the wickets of Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney for 33 and 12 runs respectively.

With Sutherland’s dismissal Australia struggled slightly in the middle order. However, Ashleigh Gardner went on to smash a century and made a decent partnerships with Tahlia McGarth and Sophie Molineux has helped the side to cross 250 run mark.

With Kim Garth’s 38 runs, Australia went on to score 326 runs losing all 10 wickets with three balls remaining in the innings.

Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr picked three wickets each while Bree Illing and Amelia Kerr bagged two wickets each to bowl out Australia.

Speaking at the toss, Alyssa Healy said, “We’ll have a bat. 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.”

“Looking at the make-up of our side, we’ve gone with out and out pace. No Megan Schutt. 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.”

Meanwhile Sophie Devine said, “Would’ve had a bat as well. 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.”

“Suzie Bates, around 73 years old, 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,” concluded Devine.

Australia Women Playing 11: Alyssa Healy(w/c), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown

New Zealand Women Playing 11: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Bree Illing