LIVE: Kerr's milestone wicket, AUS four down in CWC25 clash
The trans-Tasman rivals face-off in their opening fixture at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Melie Kerr spun a web around Australia to put New Zealand on the offensive in their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 opener at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
Coming into the attack, Kerr snapped the crucial wicket of Phoebe Litchfield off her first delivery in to help put New Zealand on the offensive in the trans-Tasman clash.
The dismissal marked Kerr's 100th in Women's ODIs, making her only the third player to cross the milestone for the White Ferns.
Earlier, playing in her first Cricket World Cup, Bree Illing removed Australia captain Alyssa Healy early on in New Zealand's opening game of the tournament.
Looking to drive the ball through the covers against the left-arm pacer, Healy would find Suzie Bates inside the circle as the White Ferns opened their account in the powerplay.
Toss time in the trans-Tasman tussle | CWC25
Australia win the toss and will bat first in their CWC25 opening game against the White Ferns.
Earlier, Healy had won the toss and elected to bat first. The two teams are squaring up for the first-ever international women’s cricket fixture at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.
Defending champions Australia arrive into the competition as one of the prime contenders for the title.
Having clinched the competitions seven times, Australia will eye their eighth trophy in India and Sri Lanka.
Get your tickets now for ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025
Defending champions begin their CWC25 journey | AUSvNZ | Will to Win Preview Show | CWC25
Check out the Will to Win Preview Show for the match between defending champions Australia and New Zealand at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.
Meanwhile, also having lifted the trophy previously, New Zealand also pose a challenge to the remaining teams at the marquee tournament.
The White Ferns had sealed their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title last year, and will be led by Sophie Devine, who will be playing in her fifth and final ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Squads:
Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu