Seasoned Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner delivered a match-defining century to steer her team from a precarious position to a formidable total of 326 all out against New Zealand in the opening fixture of the ICC Women's World Cup at the Holkar Stadium here on Wednesday. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Australia endured a mini-collapse but recovered through Gardner's unbeaten knock, setting a challenging target for the White Ferns in this Group A clash.

Gardner, entering at No. 5 in the 19th over with Australia reeling at 113 for 4, anchored the innings with composure and aggression. The 28-year-old, playing her 81st ODI, reached her second international hundred off just 77 balls, blending watchful defense with explosive strokeplay. She departed for 115—her career-best ODI score—off 83 deliveries, including 16 boundaries and a six, in the 47th over. Her dismissal came after Australia had crossed the 300-run mark, providing a solid platform for the lower order. Gardner's resilience was pivotal, as she rebuilt partnerships that turned the tide after an early stutter.

The innings began promisingly with openers Alyssa Healy (19) and debutant Phoebe Litchfield (45) racing to 81 for 1, exploiting the new ball with crisp boundaries. Healy fell in the fifth over, holing out to cover off pacer Bree Illing (2/75), but Litchfield countered aggressively, smashing a six and four in the next over. However, New Zealand's bowlers struck back decisively.

Leg-spinner Amelia Kerr (2/64) claimed her 100th ODI wicket by castling Litchfield with a googly in the 11th over, triggering a slide where Australia lost three wickets for 20 runs in four overs. Ellyse Perry (33) edged Lea Tahuhu (3/42) to the keeper, followed by Annabel Sutherland (5) to Kerr, and Beth Mooney (12) to Illing, leaving the defending champions wobbling at 128 for 5 in the 22nd over.

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From this juncture, Gardner assumed control, forging a crucial 64-run stand for the sixth wicket with Tahlia McGrath (26) and a brisk 69 with Kim Garth (38). Her partnerships stabilized the middle order, allowing Australia to accelerate in the death overs. Despite losing momentum at 252 for 7 after 40 overs, the tail contributed 74 more runs before Jess Kerr (3/62) wrapped up the innings by dismissing the lower order in the 49.3 over. New Zealand's disciplined bowling, led by Tahuhu's three strikes, kept the game competitive, but Gardner's masterclass ensured Australia's total commands respect on a batsman-friendly pitch.

This victory chase now tests New Zealand's batting depth, with Australia aiming to extend their dominance in women's ODIs—having won 21 of the last 25 encounters against the Kiwis. The World Cup, hosted across India from September 30 to November 2, features eight teams vying for glory, with Australia seeking a record-extending seventh title under Healy's captaincy.

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