Defending champions and seven-time record champions Australia Women started their journey in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with a strong victory against New Zealand Women, but with a hiccup. During the match, the Aussie cricketer Ashleigh Gardner created a new record in the tournament.
After choosing to bat first in Indore, Australia Women scored 326 all out in 49.3 overs. In reply, New Zealand Women fought hard after a horrible start but were all out for 237 runs in 42.3 overs.
ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, Australia Women vs New Zealand Women: No.6 batter Ashleigh Gardner scored a century
The defending champions had 40 and 41-run partnerships for the first two wickets, but due to losing wickets at regular intervals, they were struggling at 128/5. However, later, Ashleigh Gardner played a powerful role with the help of late batters, as they set a record total against New Zealand Women in the history of the Women’s World Cup. The previous record was England’s 284/9 in the 2017 edition.
Gardner had a 64-run sixth-wicket partnership with Tahila McGrath (26), and then had a 47-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Sophie Molineux (14), before she and Kim Garth set up another crucial 69-run partnership for the eighth wicket. After completing 50 runs in 43 balls, Gardner completed her century in just 77 balls, as she recorded the third fastest century in the tournament's history. Before getting out, Gardner scored 115 runs in 83 balls with 16 fours and one six. Also, Kim Garth scored 38 off 37 balls with five fours.
As the no.6 batter Gardner scored a century in the tournament, she became the first batter in the history of the Women’s World Cup to score a century in the no.6 or lower batting positions. The previous record was 90 by Alex Blackwell from Australia Women vs India Women in the 2017 Semi-final.
ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, Australia Women vs New Zealand Women: Captain Sophie Devine's century went in vain
In reply, New Zealand lost both their openers before opening their account. Skipper Sophie Devine fought really hard with her 111 runs in 112 balls (12 fours and three sixes), but she didn’t get enough support from the other end.
