Summary

Live Reporting

by Elizabeth Botcherby, Mike Peter & Maisie Gallen

  1. wicket

    WICKET

    Molineux c Devine b J Kerr 14 (Aus 239-7)

    Well, well - that makes things interesting.

    Sophie Molineux holes out to Sophie Devine on the boundary.

    New Zealand needed that wicket but I'm not sure Molineux needed to go for that shot - Ash Gardner had already taken nine runs off the over.

  2. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    This is such good batting. Terrific game awareness from Ash Gardner and she knows how to execute well.

    What an innings this has been from her.

  3. Aus 230-6

    Ash Gardner skips down and sends Eden Carson over mid-off for four. Her timing and shot selection has been excellent.

    Smart strike rotation sees singles taken off the other five deliveries. Australia are running well.

  4. Aus 221-6

    Ash Gardner rarely looks happy with her own batting, frowning as she adds a single to her tally. Personally, I'd be quite content with 61 off 50.

    Sophie Molineux benefits from an overthrow to add another two to Australia's total.

  5. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    Sophie Devine of New ZealandGetty Images

    If Australia can go a run a ball here, they can get to 300. And if Ash Gardner can carry on the way she has, they may get close to 330 or 340.

    This game is still well poised.

  6. Aus 217-6

    This time, Sophie Molineux opts for defence, dotting out five deliveries from Eden Carson after Ash Gardner takes a single.

    15 overs remaining.

  7. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    That is a fabulous shot from Sophie Molineux. She hardly tried to hit it hard, everything was just perfect in it.

    Lea Tahuhu is just playing the wrong line again.

  8. 6 runs

    Aus 216-6

    Sophie Molineux gets off the mark in style, guiding Lea Tahuhu down the ground for four. Ash Gardner, at the non-striker's, had to jump out of the way. Applause all round in the Australia camp.

    And she finishes the over with a six, which is just out of reach of the fielder on the fine leg boundary. Lovely stuff.

    New Zealand's two best bowlers have been a bit expensive in the past two overs.

  9. Aus 205-6

    A rare loose over from Melie Kerr, who loses her line a bit. Ash Gardner cashes in, dancing down for a six and pummelling a leg-side delivery for four.

    13 off the over. 200 up for Australia.

  10. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    Ash Gardner of Australia celebrates her half centuryGetty Images

    Magnificent batting from Ash Gardner. She never needs to hit it hard it is just pure timing. That half century came in quick time as well.

  11. 6 runs

    50 for Gardner

    I think Ash Gardner may have taken offence to that wicket.

    She smashes Melie Kerr for a huge six down the ground to bring up her half-century off 43 deliveries. Boom.

  12. 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.

  13. wicket

    WICKET

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

    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.

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

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  20. 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.