Summary

  • Gardner half-century holds Australia together

  • Tahuhu picks up three wickets for NZ

  • Litchfield gets Australia off to strong start with brisk 45

  • Australia win toss and bat first in Indore

  • Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport commentary at top of page

  • Read: Underdogs New Zealand 'can beat anyone on our day'

Live Reporting

by Elizabeth Botcherby

  1. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    Tahlia McGrath was expecting something much shorter and therefore could not control it. Nicely bowled by Melie Kerr once again.

    This is exactly what this bowling pair was brought back in to do.

  2. wicket

    WICKET

    McGrath c M Kerr b Tahuhu 26 (Aus 192-6)

    Kerr takes catch at mid-wicket after limp McGrath chip shot

    Lea Tahuhu makes the breakthrough!

    She returns for her fifth over and shatters Australia's sixth-wicket partnership, Tahlia McGrath playing a limp chip to Melia Kerr at mid-wicket.

    Tahuhu has 3-20, Australia are 192-6.

  3. While the players take a drinks break, here's a reminder of some of the wickets to fall...

    Bates takes catch at cover to dismiss Healy for 19

    Kerr ends Litchfield's half-century hopes with 100th ODI wicket

    'She's not got hold of that at all' - Perry caught down the ground by Bates for 33

  4. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    Tahlia McGrath of Australia bats during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup India 2025Getty Images

    This partnership has really given Australia an impetus. There is still a long way to go and New Zealand will feel like they are right back in it with another wicket.

  5. Aus 187-5

    Melie Kerr returns to the attack as New Zealand search for a breakthrough.

    She doesn't get a wicket but does limit the damage to two singles in a pleasingly symmetrical over - dot, one, dot, dot, one, dot.

  6. Aus 185-5

    Ash Gardner chastises herself after swinging and missing at a wide delivery down the leg side. She thinks she should have cashed in there.

    No matter. Three balls later, she lofts Jess Kerr down the ground for a one-bounce four. It's Australia's first boundary since the 26th over.

    10 runs off the over.

  7. Sonia Twigg
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    The balance of the game is really interesting at the moment. Australia are going to need to change the ones into twos as the boundaries have run a little dry.

  8. Aus 175-5

    Ash Gardner and Tahlia McGrath have added a run-a-ball 47 for the sixth wicket - Australia's highest partnership of the match.

  9. Lydia Greenway
    Former England batter on BBC Radio Sports Extra

    The run-rate is still looking good for Australia. They will be mindful of their lost wickets but there are still two experienced batters at the crease.

    Ash Gardner can do some damage at the end of an innings.

  10. Aus 171-5

    Ash Gardner and Tahlia McGrath are content to deal in singles. Five added.

  11. Lydia Greenway
    Former England batter on BBC Radio Sports Extra

    Anything under 250 New Zealand should be able to chase. However if this partnership continues, Australia will be aiming much higher.

    New Zealand will be thinking that if they can get two more wickets, Australia will be struggling for 250.

  12. Aus 166-5

    Captain Sophie Devine returns to the attack and restricts Australia to two singles.

    She's only conceded eight runs from her three overs since the end of the powerplay.

  13. Aus 164-5

    Tahlia McGrath of AustraliaGetty Images

    Thanks Mike.

    After losing 3-20 during a top-order collapse, Ash Gardner and Tahlia McGrath have steadied the ship for Australia.

    They take three singles off the first five balls of Eden Carson's second over before Gardner picks off an over-pitched delivery and crunches it for four to move into the 30s.

  14. Aus 157-5

    Consecutive fours for Ash Gardner.

    She manages to lift Bree Illing over mid-on to bring up her side's 150, and it's over-step from the seamer which means a free hit and another run on Australia's total.

    She doesn't get a clean connection on the freebie delivery, but gets enough on it to reach the boundary at mid-wicket.

    Right, time for me to hand over to Elizabeth Botcherby for the rest of the innings.

  15. Aus 146-5

    Here's Eden Carson's off-breaks for the first time in this match.

    The Australian batters work her around for four runs, before Tahlia McGrath breaches the ropes by firing a ball to the left of mid-off.

  16. Lydia Greenway
    Former England batter on BBC Radio Sports Extra

    Another good over. Any overs under five or six runs are gold dust at this point. With the surface, you would expect this to be a relatively high-scoring game.

    New Zealand have made a great stride into the Australia top order but they still have batting to come.

  17. Aus 137-5

    Back comes opening left-armer seamer Bree Illing, with her sixth over going for four singles.

    That sees Australia's run-rate drop below a run a ball - 5.95 an over to be precise.

    They'd been going at 8.1 an over at the end of the powerplay.

  18. Aus 133-5

    Tahlia McGrath faces two dot balls from Lea Tahuhu then gets off the mark with a four, striking through mid-wicket.

    A further single into the covers sees her retain the strike.

  19. Lydia Greenway
    Former England batter on BBC Radio Sports Extra

    That is exceptional. You can see how much it means to New Zealand. This is their opportunity now the top order of Australia have gone.

    There is still a long way to go in this innings.

  20. Ed Seabourne
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Lea Tahuhu of New Zealand celebrates with team mate Melie Kerr after taking the wicket of Beth Mooney of AustraliaGetty Images

    Beth Mooney is so often the stability that holds this Australia side together. But New Zealand are grasping these opportunities!