Gardner's 115 helps Australia post 326 against NZ in WWC opener

Ashleigh Gardner produced a match-changing century on Wednesday, October 1, steering Australia from 128 for 5 to a total of 326 in their opening ICC Womens ODI World Cup 2025 match against New Zealand at Holkar Stadium in Indore. The 28-year-old allrounder scored 115 off 83 balls, becoming the first batter in Womens World Cup history to reach three figures after coming in at number six or lower.

Gardner entered the crease in the 22nd over with Australia in trouble and counterattacked with measured aggression. She reached her century in 77 balls, completing the landmark with a drive through the covers off New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. Her innings included 16 fours and one six and ended when Bree Illing dismissed her, with Isabella Gaze completing the catch on the third ball of the 47th over.

The knock was built around several key lower-order partnerships that resurrected the Australian innings. Gardner added 64 runs with Tahlia McGrath, who made 26, then put on 47 with Sophie Molineux, and a 69-run stand with No. 9 Kim Garth, who contributed 38. The 69-run partnership for the eighth wicket or lower is the second-highest for Australia in Womens World Cup history, behind a...