Gardner's Century Powers Australia to World Cup Opening Win
A spectacular counter-attacking century from all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner rescued Australia from a dramatic mid-innings collapse and powered the defending champions to a commanding 89-run victory over New Zealand in their opening match of the Women's ODI World Cup. While New Zealand captain Sophie Devine produced a magnificent century of her own in the chase, Gardner’s explosive innings proved to be the decisive factor in a contest lit up by two brilliant individual performances.
Collapse to Command
After choosing to bat first, Australia appeared to be in control, with Phoebe Litchfield’s aggressive 45 helping them race to 81 for 1 inside the powerplay. However, the introduction of spin, led by Amelia Kerr, completely altered the momentum. Kerr’s perfectly executed googly to bowl Litchfield marked her 100th ODI wicket and triggered a stunning collapse.
New Zealand’s bowlers tightened their grip, with veteran pacer Lea Tahuhu chipping in with key wickets as Australia slumped from a position of strength to a precarious 128 for 5. The innings was in danger of unraveling completely before Gardner arrived at the crease and launched one of the great World Cup rescue acts.
Playing with remarkable aggression from the outset, Gardner took the attack to both spinners and seamers. She raced to a 43-ball half-century before accelerating even further, reaching a game-changing century just 34 balls later. Her final score of 115 from just 83 balls single-handedly turned the tide, lifting Australia to a formidable total of 326.
Devine's Valiant but Solitary Fight
New Zealand's chase of a record target began in disarray. They lost a wicket to a run-out in the first over without a ball being faced, and then slumped to 24 for 2 after Sophie Molineux, making her return to ODIs, struck with the new ball.
Sophie Devine, however, was undeterred. The New Zealand captain waged a magnificent solo battle against the mounting scoreboard pressure, anchoring the innings while wickets fell around her. She compiled a superb 111, her ninth ODI century, showing her class and power. But she received little support from her teammates, with only two other batters reaching double figures. The required run rate continued to climb, and the task eventually became insurmountable.
Bowlers Close Out a Dominant Win
While Devine fought on, Australia’s deep and varied bowling attack systematically dismantled the rest of the New Zealand lineup. Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux were the chief destroyers, each claiming three wickets. The match was effectively sealed in the 43rd over when Sutherland produced a triple-wicket burst, which included the prized scalp of Devine, bringing New Zealand's brave but ultimately futile challenge to an end.
Tags: ICC Women's World Cup
