The reigning defending champions Australia will aim to make a winning start when they face off against arch rivals and Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Match 2 of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. This match is taking place at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Australia who are the 7-time champions defending their title are aiming for their 8th title while New Zealand who won the title in 2000 are aiming for their second crown.
Australia will be led by Alyssa Healy and she has got a good squad with mix of youth and experience alongside marquee players as well. New Zealand will be led by experienced campaigner Sophie Devine playing in her final tournament in ODIs. She will hope to lead from the front but will know that they are the underdogs in this clash for sure.
Overview.
Australia are the defending champions having won the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand. They are the only team to have defended the title successfully having done so in 1978, 1982, and 1988 editions and completed a historic three-peat. The Alyssa Healy-led side recently lost to South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-final in Dubai. It will likely look to dominate this time around to avoid a back-to-back average tournament.
The Southern Stars are coming off a 2-1 ODI series win over India in India. A series that was relatively closely fought, with the visitors using the assignment to adapt to the conditions in which they would be playing the marquee event. The Healy-led unit was hit by an injury ahead of the World Cup. Dynamic all-rounder Grace Harris has been ruled out of the competition due to a calf strain she sustained in the third and final ODI against India in Delhi. Heather Graham has been named as Harris’ replacement.
As always, Australia have a strong and experienced core. Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Alana King, and Annabel Sutherland are the ones who can take the game away from any team in the blink of an eye, and that too single-handedly.
Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll have been included in the 50-over World Cup for the first time. Litchfield and Voll have been in some form, while the rest of them have stepped up when required. Molineux, who hasn’t played an international game since undergoing knee surgery in January this year, was included in the India series, but didn’t take the field as a precaution. The left-arm spinner managed to play in the warm-up fixture against England, and finished her day with the ball with 1/37.
On the other hand, New Zealand are one of the three teams that have won the ODI World Cup. They claimed the championship in 2000, defeating their neighbours in a low-scoring thriller. They had a disappointing campaign at home in 2022. Barring the three names- Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr- the White Ferns don’t have much to depend upon in their squad with as many as four players featuring in their maiden World Cup. The above mentioned four can do serious damage to the opposition and change the complexion of the game.
Devine, who recently led the Kiwis to their maiden T20 World Cup title in 2024, will lead the side in what is her final tournament. Earlier, the veteran had announced her retirement from the format post the World Cup. Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis, Bella James and Bree Illing are the freshers to be featuring in this marquee event. Apart from Devonshire, the rest of the three players have already debuted in the 50-over format for the White Ferns. However, Devonshire has played in the T20Is.
Jess Kerr, Eden Carson and Rosemary Mair are other bowlers in the set-up who can play a vital role in New Zealand’s journey in the World Cup. Brooke Halliday’s all-round prowess might come in handy, while Georgia Plimmer, who has impressed in her short career. Maddy Green and keeper batter Izzy Gaze will look to add value with the bat.
Overall, Australia have been dominating whenever the two teams took the field. It won’t be easy for the Sophie Devine-led outfit to counter the Women in Yellow. Australia stumbled in the warm-ups, losing to their arch-rivals England by 4 wickets. New Zealand are also on the same boat losing to India A and India in the warm up games.
The stage is set for the Trans-Tasman rivalry in the Women’s World Cup and it remains to be seen whether New Zealand can upset the apple cards and beat Australia in Indore.
Head-To-Head.
Australia and New Zealand have played each other in 135 ODIs in history. Australia have been victorious with 102 wins while New Zealand have won 31 games. 2 games have ended in a No Result. Australia have won the last 10 games against New Zealand showcasing their dominance.
Pitch & Weather Report.
The pitch at Indore is set to be good for batting. The ball will come onto the bat and with quality players on both sides, we can expect a run fest. It is a black soil surface which can offer even bounce and minimal seam movement. The surface will stay the same and one has to put enough runs on the board to defend the score. Spinners may find some grip as the game progresses.
According to the forecast. the match day looks stable with no significant rain predicted. The weather in Indore is expected to be partly sunny and pleasant, with temperatures being around 30 degrees Celsius when the game starts at 3 PM IST. The humidity level will be around 62% during the match.
Predicted/Probable Playing XIs of both teams.
Australia XI: Alyssa Healy (c &wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Megan Schutt.
New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Gaze (wk), Eden Carson, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu.
Key Players to watch out for in this clash.
Beth Mooney: Beth Mooney is one of the key assets for Australia and keeps on performing on the big stage and against big teams. She is the most dependable player in the side and batting at 4, he controls the innings beautifully and then paces her innings really well. She is a great asset to have amongst the star studded line-up. She got a brilliant hundred in Delhi and will look to carry on with the good work.
Annabel Sutherland: The handy all-rounder for Australia is a utility cricketer with bat and ball in hand. She makes important contributions with the bat and then with ball she can be handy with the old ball using her variations. She will be one of the central and key figures for Australia going forward in this amazing side.
Sophie Devine: Captain Sophie Devine is one of the key players for New Zealand. Playing in her last World Cup, she will hope to lead from the front with her all-round abilities and skills. Batting at 4, she will be the key and glue to the innings to the top and middle order and can guide the innings forward. Then her seam bowling can also come in handy with variations on these Indian tracks. Here, a lot of change ups will be required and Devine has it in her armour to do that.
Amelia Kerr: One of the most upcoming stars in the women’s game, Amelia Kerr is one of the best all-rounders going around. She bats at 3 and can score runs and take the game away from the opposition. And then with the ball, her spin bowling and overs are invaluable to the side. She will be one of the central figures in this White Ferns team and could be key again if New Zealand are to do well. In the T20 World Cup, Amelia was the standout player for New Zealand in their campaign triumph. She will have to be at her best against the Aussies.
Key Stats/Records to look forward to ahead of this clash.
- Ellyse Perry needs 3 sixes to complete 50 ODI sixes.
- Beth Mooney needs 5 fours to complete 300 ODI fours.
- Phoebe Litchfield requires 17 runs to complete 1000 ODI runs.
- Georgia Wareham needs 4 wickets to reach 50 ODI wickets. ‘
- Annabel Sutherland is 7 wickets away from 50 ODI wickets.
- Suzie Bates needs 104 runs to become the second woman after Mithali Raj to reach 6000 ODI runs.
- Sophie Devine requires 10 runs to complete 4000 ODI runs.
- Maddy Green needs 8 fours to complete 150 ODI fours.
- Amelia Kerr needs 1 wicket to complete 100 ODI wickets.
Predicted/Possible Outcome of the Match.
Both teams are beginning their campaign and so there will be nerves. It’s two quality sides against each other. But looking at the depth of the squad and everything taken into consideration, we reckon Australia the defending champions will start this game as favourites. New Zealand won’t be pushovers but have to bat out of their skins to win this contest.
Let’s see how things unfold when the second game of the World Cup kicks off at 3 PM IST in Indore where Australia will want a winning start while New Zealand will want to upset the apple cards.
Also Read: ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Performance Helps India Get Over The Line