When Australia Women smashed a 326‑run total at Holkar Stadium on October 1, 2025, the cricketing world took notice.
The day‑night clash against New Zealand Women turned into a masterclass in power hitting and disciplined bowling, ending with an 89‑run margin that catapulted the Aussies to the top of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025India table.
Match Overview
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that paid off in spades. Opening through a steady partnership, they swelled the scoreboard to 150 without loss. A flurry of boundaries in the 30th over saw the total rocket past 300, finally ending at 326/4 after 50 overs.
New Zealand’s reply never found its rhythm. Early wickets crumbled the chase, and despite a late surge from the middle order, they could only muster 237 all out in 43.2 overs. The victory gave the Australians three points and a net run rate (NRR) of +1.78, while the Kiwis slipped to a –1.78 NRR with zero points.
Key Performances
At the heart of Australia’s batting was Beth Mooney, who smashed 112 off 84 balls, turning the tide with her elegant pull shots. The captain, Meg Lanning, added a brisk 78, anchoring the innings while rotating the strike.
On the bowling front, the Australian pacers kept the Kiwis under pressure. Ellyse Perry claimed three crucial wickets, including the breakthrough of Sophie Devine for just 23 runs.
New Zealand’s lone bright spot was the all‑round brilliance of Amelia Kerr, who top‑scored with 67 but lacked support from the other end.
Implications for the Group
Group A now reads like a leaderboard after the Indore thriller. Australia leads with three points from two games; England, Bangladesh, and hosts India sit on two points each. New Zealand, unfortunately, finds themselves at the bottom with a negative NRR, meaning they must win big in the remaining fixtures to stay alive.
Net run rate, the silent arbiter in tightly contested tournaments, will likely decide who advances if teams end level on points. Australia’s +1.78 NRR provides a comfortable cushion, but a single heavy loss could shrink it quickly.
Historical Context
The Aussies have a storied pedigree in World Cup cricket, claiming titles in 1997, 2005, 2013 and 2022. Their aggressive brand of play, especially in the middle overs, has become a hallmark. Conversely, New Zealand’s last World Cup final appearance came in 2022, where they fell short against Australia – a painful reminder that history can repeat itself.
Indore’s Holkar Stadium, inaugurated in 2021, has quickly become a favoured venue for high‑stakes matches. Its pitch tends to favor batting in the first half, then offers seam movement under lights – a factor that coaches study closely.
Looking Ahead
Australia now faces England in their next group match on October 5 at Chennai’s M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. A win will cement their top‑seed status and give them the luxury to rotate players ahead of the knockout stage.
New Zealand must regroup fast. Their next assignment is against Bangladesh on October 6 in Hyderabad. To keep hopes alive, they’ll need at least a 150‑run victory margin to swing their NRR into positive territory.
Both teams will likely tweak their line‑ups. Expect New Zealand to promote spinner Natalie Bauers for more control in the middle overs, while Australia may rest a frontline pacer to preserve fitness for the knockout rounds.
Key Facts
- Australia Women: 326/4 in 50 overs
- New Zealand Women: 237 all out in 43.2 overs
- Net Run Rate after match: Australia +1.78, New Zealand –1.78
- Top scorer: Beth Mooney (112 runs)
- Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect Australia’s chances in the World Cup?
The dominant victory puts Australia at the top of Group A with three points and a healthy +1.78 net run rate, giving them a cushion should they stumble later. It also boosts team morale ahead of tougher fixtures against England and India.
What must New Zealand do to stay in the tournament?
They need a big win against Bangladesh, ideally by at least 150 runs, to swing their net run rate into positive territory. The margin is crucial because a simple win might not be enough if other teams also finish with the same points.
Who were the standout players for Australia in this match?
Beth Mooney’s century anchored the chase, while Meg Lanning’s aggressive 78 set the pace. With the ball, Ellyse Perry’s three‑for‑34 turned the tide, and the death‑over specialists kept the run‑rate in check.
Why is Holkar Stadium considered a challenging venue?
Its surface offers brisk pace early on but tends to soften under lights, giving seamers extra movement in the latter overs. Teams that adapt their batting strategy to these changing conditions usually come out on top.
What does this result mean for the overall tournament narrative?
Australia’s win reaffirms their status as the team to beat, while New Zealand’s setback adds early drama to the group stage. The widening points gap could force a knockout‑stage surprise if lower‑ranked teams capitalize on upcoming matches.