Australia off to a flyer with Gardner's rapid century in defeat of New Zealand

"Gardner scored 115 runs off 83 balls with 16 fours and a six as Australia made 326 in 49.3 overs. It was the first century from a batter at No 6 or lower in the tournament's history. Phoebe Litchfield scored 45 off 31 balls to give Australia a quickfire start, before Gardner used the good batting conditions to help the defending champions light up Indore's Holkar Stadium, which was staging its first women's ODI."

"In reply, New Zealand made a rocky start and never recovered bowled out for 237 in 43.2 overs despite skipper Sophie Devine's 111. Medium pacers Sophie Molineux (three for 25) and Annabel Sutherland (three for 26) shared six wickets between them. I had some clear plans when I got into the middle, said Gardner, who was named player of the match. I wanted to score as many runs possible because we needed a big total here."

Ashleigh Gardner struck 115 off 83 balls with 16 fours and a six, recording the third-fastest century in Women's Cricket World Cup history and the first century by a batter at No 6 or lower. Australia posted 326 in 49.3 overs after Phoebe Litchfield's 45 off 31 provided a brisk start at Holkar Stadium's first women's ODI. New Zealand were bowled out for 237 in 43.2 overs despite Sophie Devine's 111. Medium pacers Sophie Molineux and Annabel Sutherland took three wickets each, while Lea Tahuhu claimed three for 42. Australia face Sri Lanka next.

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