Tournament favorites Australia flexed their muscles on Sunday. At the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. with a comfortable win of 141 runs over arch-rivals New Zealand.

Australia Women’s v New Zealand Women’s

It was a clinical feat for the six-time women’s world champion. As they defended 269/8, knocking her opponents out of the ring for 128 in the 31st over at the Basin Reserve.

There were strong contributions from almost every member of Meg Lanning’s strong side. With Ellyse Perry (68) and Tahlia McGrath (57) scoring valuable half-centuries.

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And returnee Ashleigh Gardner (48* with 18 balls). Adding the finishing touches one later Australian whirl with the bat.

Australia
Rachael Haynes of Australia bats during the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match

But it was with the ball that the Aussies shone with as teenage Darcie Brown (3/22) broke the New Zealand top order. And put finishing touches on Amanda-Jade Wellington (2/34) and Gardner (2/15). an impressive team performance.

The result sees Australia back at the top of the tournament standings with three wins from as many games. while New Zealand fall to fourth place and continue to struggle to reach the semi-finals.

It was Perry who started the rot when she put one through the defense of skipper Sophie Devine. In the fifth over of the hosts’ chase before Brown took on the big scalps of key hitters Amelia Kerr (1) and Suzie Bates.

McGrath intervened to sack Maddy Green shortly after. And the game was all but over when Brown trapped Frances Mackay lbw for one to stagger the White Ferns at 35/5.

Experienced all-rounder Amy Satterthwaite (44) showed some combat for the hosts. With a rough smack but it fell short when Australia came home.

Before it, Perry and McGrath made 101 for the fifth wicket. As Australia recovered from losing three early wickets. And inspired Lea Tahuhu (3/52) to a respectable total.

It looked like Australia will make less score due to opponent bowling. but Perry and McGrath both speed up the run rate during the middle overs. And some high late shots from Gardner tipped the momentum towards Australia.

Australia
Sophie Devine of New Zealand bats during the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match

Perry and McGrath’s partnership was key to Australia’s innings. And it took a brilliant on-field performance from Maddy Green to break the precious stand.

All-rounder Perry lifted Tahuhu deep only to see Green sprint to the left. And haul in an excellent dive catch that got the large crowd excited and on their feet.

McGrath followed shortly after, before Gardner’s late hitting. which included back-to-back sixes ahead of Hannah Rowe and four maximums total. Put some valuable extra runs on the board.

Playing XI Squads:

New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amelia Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Katey Martin, Hayley Jensen, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Frances Mackay

Australia XI: Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Tahlia McGrath

Watch ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 New Zealand pictures and videos here