Australia tells a flyer with Gardner’s Rapid Century in the defeat of New Zealand

Ashleigh Gardner hit the third fastest century in a World Cup for Women’s Cricket when Australia began to defeat their title defense by beating New Zealand with 89 points in Indore.

Gardner scored 115 points of 83 balls with 16 four and a six when Australia made 326 in 49.3 overs. It was the first century of a batter at number 6 or lower in the history of the tournament.

Phoebe Litchfield scored 45 of 31 balls to give Australia a quick fire before Gardner used the good batting conditions to help the defending champion to illuminate Indore’s Holkar Stadium, which organized his first ladies Odi.

In reply, New Zealand made a rocky start and never recovered – threw for 237 in 43.2 over Sophie Devine’s 111. The medium -sized Pacers Sophie Molineux (three for 25) and Annabel Sutherland (three for 26) shared six Wickets between them.

“I had some clear plans when I came in the middle,” said Gardner, who was appointed player of the game. “I wanted to score as many runs as possible because we needed a big total here. We hit deeply, so we had freedom and confidence within our group to play freely. [scoring big batting first] Become a trend in this World Cup. “

Australia is facing Sri Lanka in Colombo in Colombo on Saturday, while Nieuw -Zeeland takes over in Indore against South Africa on Monday.

Australia had chosen to batten to make the first use of good conditions. The 22-year-old Litchfield, who played in her first 50-over World Cup, made six four and two sixes to offer a fast start. In the 11th over-81 she fell a mini-roll for two-way new Zeeland. The medium Pacer Lea Tahuhu took three for 42 in eight overs and blows away the middle order.

Tahuhu was Van Ellyse Perry (33) and Beth Moeney (12) in the space of four overs and later returned to dismiss Tahlia McGrath (26). In between, Amelia Kerr Sutherland (five) fired Australia at 128 for five before Gardner took the lead.

Gardner and McGrath added 64 points for the sixth Wicket to breathe new life into the innings and Australia placed the highest total against new Zeeland in a World Cup competition for women, which improved 284 for nine in 2017.

Gardner had scored 50 of 43 balls and then accelerated further – her next 50 only 34 balls came out. It was the third fastest hundred in a world cup for women – from 77 balls.

In answer, New -Zeeland lost two wickets in nine balls without a run on the board. Georgia Plimmer was running away and Molineux bowlde Suzie Bates – both out for ducks. Devine and Amelia Kerr then added 75 for the third Wicket to save the innings. Kerr scored 33 out of 56 balls before he fell to Alana King.

The innings got Momentum in the middle of the exaggerated when Devine Vitale partnership set up – first 53 from 65 balls with Brooke Halliday (28) and then 54 from 35 balls with Isabella tin. Gaze hit six four when she scored 28 of the 18 balls to increase the scoring speed before she was in the 41st at 218 for six.

New Zealand then lost their last four wickets for 19 points when Devine’s 100 of 107 balls went in vain. She is the third oldest batter that scores for a century in the ODI world cups for women – 36 years and 30 days. It was the 16th consecutive ODI victory of Australia against New -Zeeland.