Australia Begin World Cup Championship Defense with Triumph

Women's World Cup match in Indore

Australia scored 326 runs (49.3 overs): Gardner made 115 from 83 deliveries; Tahuhu took 3 wickets for 42 runs

New Zealand 237 all out (43.2 overs): Devine 112 (112); Molineux claimed 3 wickets for 26 runs

Australia won by 89 runs

Ash Gardner delivered a superb century from the lower order as Australia began the defence of their Women's World Cup title with an 89-run victory over the New Zealand side in Indore.

Gardner assisted her side recover after they slipped to 128 for five, scoring 115 from 83 balls as the seven-time champions accumulated a total of 326 runs.

The White Ferns skipper Devine scored a resilient century of her own after arriving at the crease with her side at zero for two, and momentarily challenged to drag the New Zealand team to a extraordinary win.

Devine struck twelve boundaries and three sixes in her 112 from 112 deliveries, but became the initial of three wickets to fall in Annabel Sutherland's 43rd over as the Australian side snuffed out any hope of an opening defeat.

Litchfield got Australia off to a flying start after Alyssa Healy won the toss and chose to bat, scoring a 31-ball 45 as they achieved 81 for one at the conclusion of the powerplay.

However the young opener was bowled by Melie Kerr with the first ball of the eleventh over, and Australia's charge slowed until Gardner came to the crease.

Arriving at the sixth position, Gardner guided partnerships of 64 and 69 with Tahlia McGrath and Alana King, before being caught behind off Illing.

The New Zealand captain's knock began cautiously as she rebuilt with a 75-run partnership with Melie Kerr, but she accelerated as New Zealand arrived at the 42nd over needing 91 runs.

But Sutherland bowled the experienced player to start a rapid end to the contest, with the White Ferns suffering their final four wickets for just two runs to be bowled out with 40 balls remaining.