Australia Commence Global Tournament Championship Defense with Win

ICC Women's World Cup, Indore

Australia 326 all out (49.3 overs): Gardner made 115 from 83 deliveries; Tahuhu 3-42

New Zealand 237 all out (43.2 overs): Devine scored 112 from 112 balls; Molineux 3-26

Australia secured an 89-run victory

The talented all-rounder produced a superb century from the lower order as Australia commenced the defense of their World Cup championship with an 89-run victory over New Zealand in Indore.

Gardner enabled her side bounce back after they slipped to 128 for five, scoring 115 runs off 83 deliveries as the multiple-time title holders accumulated 326.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine scored a determined hundred of her own after coming in with her team at zero for two, and briefly threatened to guide the White Ferns to a stunning victory.

Devine struck twelve boundaries and three sixes in her 112 from 112 deliveries, but was the initial of three wickets to fall in Annabel Sutherland's the 43rd over as Australia eliminated any possibility of an opening defeat.

Phoebe Litchfield gave Australia a rapid beginning after Healy won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring a 45 from 31 balls as they reached 81-1 at the conclusion of the first powerplay.

Nevertheless the 22-year-old was bowled by Melie Kerr with the initial delivery of the 11th over, and Australia's charge faltered until Gardner's arrival.

Arriving at number six, Gardner guided partnerships of 64 and 69 with McGrath and Alana King, before being caught behind off Bree Illing.

Devine's innings began cautiously as she reconstructed with a 75-run partnership with Kerr, but she increased the tempo as her team arrived at the 42nd over requiring 91 runs.

But Sutherland bowled the experienced player to trigger a rapid end to the match, with New Zealand suffering their final four wickets for two runs to be bowled out with 40 balls remaining.