The Indore showdown of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 produced a spectacle of contrasting fortunes as Australia Women outclassed New Zealand Women by 89 runs in the second match of the tournament. Ashleigh Gardner scripted history with a record-breaking century at No. 6, powering the Aussies to a daunting 326. In response, Sophie Devine fought a lone battle with a superb hundred, but a disciplined bowling performance led by Sophie Molineux and Annabel Sutherland ensured Australia’s dominance as New Zealand were bowled out for 237 in 43.2 overs.

CWC 2025: Ashleigh Gardner’s century sparks Australian dominance

Australia opted to bat first and got off to a brisk start through Alyssa Healy (19 off 17) and Phoebe Litchfield (45 off 31) before New Zealand struck back through Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr. By the 22nd over, the Aussies were reeling at 128/5, but that’s when Gardner stepped up. Walking in at No. 6, she unleashed a counterattacking masterclass, smashing 115 off just 83 deliveries, decorated with 16 boundaries and a six. Partnerships with Tahlia McGrath (26), Sophie Molineux (14) and Kim Garth (38) ensured momentum stayed with Australia despite regular strikes from New Zealand’s bowlers. Tahuhu (3/42) and Jess Kerr (3/59) tried their best, but Gardner’s fearless stroke play guided Australia past the 300-run mark, closing at 326 in 49.3 overs, a total that immediately put New Zealand under pressure.

Also READ: AUS-W vs NZ-W: Fans erupt in joy as Ashleigh Gardner creates history with record-breaking century in Women’s World Cup 2025

CWC 2025: Sophie Devine’s heroics for New Zealand not enough against clinical Aussie attack

Chasing 327, New Zealand’s innings began in disarray as Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer departed without scoring, leaving them reeling at 0/2 in the second over. Amelia Kerr (33) tried to steady the ship alongside Devine, but wickets at regular intervals hurt their cause. Devine, however, stood tall with a remarkable innings of 111 off 112 balls, mixing elegance with power as she struck 12 fours and 3 sixes. She found support from Brooke Halliday (28) and Isabella Gaze (28 off 18), who briefly gave New Zealand hope with counterattacking cameos. Yet, the mounting asking rate and disciplined Australian bowling proved decisive. Sophie Molineux (3/25), Annabel Sutherland (3/26), and Alana King (2/44) dismantled the middle and lower order, ensuring Devine’s lone brilliance ended in vain. New Zealand eventually folded for 237 in 43.2 overs, handing Australia a comfortable 89-run victory and two crucial World Cup points.

Here’s how fans reacted:

All things noted about AUS, but how good has Annabel Sutherland – the bowler been.

Gave nothing away today & ended with figures of 3-26 (9).

Shaping to be a goat all-rounder & is just 23 yet. #AUSvNZ #CWC25

— Deep Gadhia (@deeppgadhia) October 1, 2025

Australia women is making this world cup pointless😭 ..world cups should be without australia 😭😭

— Archer (@poserarcher) October 1, 2025

My god. Sophie Devine! The heartbreak of a lone ranger.. #AUSvNZ #CWC25

— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻‍💻 (@lav_narayanan) October 1, 2025

What looked like a close finish was sealed by Annabel Sutherland with three wickets in an over. Sophie Devine’s brilliant hundred went in vain as Australia got off to a flying start in the Cricket World Cup. #CWC25

— Aadvik Vasu (@AadvikRoyal) October 1, 2025

2 centuries in 2nd Match of #CWC25 . Enjoyed both the tons but great to see Devine's timing in this inning. She was struggling with timing in the last couple of years. pic.twitter.com/eJIbS2PZyJ

— Bleed Blue (@CricCrazyVeena) October 1, 2025

Captain Sophie Devine, salute to you. 🫡💀

New Zealand were at one point 0/2 before, she played a brilliant innings, scoring 112 runs off 112 balls while chasing a big target against Australia in the Women's World Cup.

– Sophie Devine, New Zealand's lone warrior..!!!!🔥… pic.twitter.com/mrqdjG2ij0

— Shanu (@Shanu_3010) October 1, 2025

New Zealand lose their last 4 wickets for 2 runs, bowled out for 237, with Devine top scoring with 112. Australia wins by 89 runs https://t.co/rT1CT9ER6U

— Alex Chapman (@AlexChapmanNZ) October 1, 2025

Australia's batting depth comes to the fore. It felt like they had lost 2-3 wickets too many for most of the innings. In the end, they bat till the 50th over and post 326.

Ash Gardner outstanding for her 83-ball 115. Kim Garth also so solid at number 9.#WomensWorldCup

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) October 1, 2025

Devine Display of Determination!
Sophie Devine brings up her century with a SIX!
Another century in the match .#WomenWorldCup #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/as7CbBPIjk

— AsliBCCIWomen (@AsliBCCIWomen) October 1, 2025

Australia off to a flying start at the Women’s World Cup 2025💥

– A dominating 89 run victory over New Zealand sets the tone 🙌🏏#women #cricket #AUSvNZ #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/ut9ERQBTOL

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 1, 2025

Also WATCH: Women’s World Cup: Amelia Kerr’s googly rattles Phoebe Litchfield’s stumps in AUS-W vs NZ-W game

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.