Gardner mows down New Zealand to give Australia World Cup lift off

A landmark hundred from Ash Gardner has provided a soaring lift-off to Australia’s World Cup defence as the seven-time champs downed New Zealand by 89 runs at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.

All-rounder Gardner was the model of control as she extricated Alyssa Healy’s side from a nervy spot in Wednesday’s opener, becoming the first Indigenous player to hit a century for Australia in any 50-over World Cup while also recording the highest innings by any woman coming in at No.6 or below in an ODI.

Gardner reckoned she’d thrived on the pressure as she smacked 115 off 83 balls to help lead Australia, after they had decided to bat, from a precarious 4-113 to their record ODI tally against New Zealand of 326 all out of 49.3 overs.

It proved far too much for the White Ferns, despite a defiant 111 off 112 balls from their illustrious captain Sophie Devine, as they eventually succumbed for 237 with 40 balls still remaining, their 16th consecutive ODI defeat by Australia.

Spinner Sophie Molineux was superb on her return following a long injury absence, taking 3-25 including the final scalp of the match, while Annabel Sutherland, finally bowling Devine amid a burst of three wickets in four balls, proved Australia’s ruthless finisher.

“It was really special,” enthused Gardner. “I kind of love coming in those pressure situations. I just try to take the game on, play the way I do and then, hopefully, the success comes with it.”

It was a day that demonstrated again the enviable strength-in-depth of Australia’s batting riches, with No.9 Kim Garth hammering 38 off 37 balls to aid Gardner in a 69-run eighth-wicket partnership.

“We bat, genuinely, all the way down, so we have that freedom to play and that confidence within our group that even if we are five-down-for-not-too-many, we have the players to come in and change the game,” said Gardner.