Women's World Cup 2025: Who said what? after AUS-W vs NZ-W match 2

Australia Women kicked off their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 campaign with a strong victory against New Zealand Women in Indore. Batting first, at the Holkar Stadium, the Australians in mid-innings posted a solid total of 326 runs in 49.3 overs. Ashleigh Gardner was the star of the innings with a superb century, scoring 115 runs off just 83 balls. Phoebe Litchfield helped set a strong foundation with a quick 45 runs, whilst Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry supported with useful runs. Despite New Zealand’s bowlers Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr picking three wickets each, the Australians managed to reach a winning score.

Chasing 327, New Zealand had a nightmare beginning, losing two wickets without scoring a run. Captain Sophie Devine played a fighting knock of 111 runs but did not get enough support from the other end. Amelia Kerr made 33 and Brooke Halliday 28, but the rest of the batting could not handle the pressure. Australia bowled tightly, with Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux taking three wickets each, sealing an 89-run win.

AUS-W vs NZ-W: Who said what?

Ashleigh Gardner (Player of the Match):

“Yeah, it was pretty special. When I got out in the middle, I had clear plans just to get myself in and stick to my strengths. We always knew that we needed a big total. The boundaries are small and the wicket is good. So making sure, once I got in, I capitalised on that. Knowing 320 on the board, we had something to defend. I guess you look at how Devine batted, she made it tough for our bowlers. I think that would be the trend in this World Cup, get enough runs on the board. I was just trying to keep it really simple. I feel like when I am hitting the boundaries, I go really hard at it and look to take singles and doubles that kind of gets me into my innings and if I get a boundary, that helps me settle in. We bat genuinely all the way down. We have the confidence that even if we are 5 down for not too much on the board, we have the players to come in and change the game. I love the position to come in at that time and change the game.”

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Sophie Devine (New Zealand Captain):

“I am most proud of the fight that the team shown. A couple of years ao we would have thrown the towel around 150 but we kept coming and going. The result didn't go our way but the effort makes me proud. It was against the best bowling attack of the world. It's a hard one. You always want to be on the winning team. We will reflect on it later. Job well done but still job needs to be done in this World Cup. It shows the mindset of the group. We know they have a deep batting order. We missed a little bit on line and length and got punished on a really flat surface. Amelia and Lea were fantastic. Everyone knows their role which makes it a fantastic team. Taking big wickets is important for the team. Illing has got some pace and swings the ball being a left hander. Really excited to see where she can take the game. It's about who can hold their nerves longer. We need to keep fighting back in the game in both innings. It's a great cricket wicket, great outfield and small boundaries.”

Alyssa Healy (Australia Captain):

“Umm, yeah it did actually. I think when Sophie is going as good as she did, you are never really feel comfortable. But full credit to the girls, for hanging in there and hit our lengths to get the job done. It is a balance, we ended up somewhere above 300 when we were struggling in the middle stages. As a batting group, we need to make sure to be precise with what we are doing. I think, she is just continuing to mature as a cricketer with bat and with ball. Middle order coming in and score hundreds when we were in trouble is a real asset. I am really proud of Ash today, she can enjoy this moment. I mean, it is lucky that Ash got a hundred, otherwise Kim Garth would have got the player of the match award. It is huge, it is not kind of like-for-like. Awesome that Sophie can also bowl for us in the powerplay. So there are the little things that you want to get right, hopefully we can take momentum in the next game in Colombo where conditions might be different. Beautiful cricket ground. Really enjoyed playing here, I would love to come here again.”