Summary

  • Australia ruthless with the ball after Schutt's explosive first over removes both NZ openers

  • Gardner takes 5-12 and Schutt 2-8

  • Aggressive Australia pile up 173-9

  • Healy top-scores with 55 off 38 balls

  • Lanning hits 41 before being bowled by Kerr googly

  • Perry blazes 40 off 22 balls, including two sixes

Live Reporting

Tom Mallows and Matthew Henry

  1. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    It sounded like there was an inside edge through the stump mic. It just didn't sound right.

  2. New Zealand review

    Megan Schutt traps Sophie Devine in front - but Devine immediately reviews.

    Was there an inside edge?

  3. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    BatesGetty Images

    Arghh! New Zealand needed their experienced players to build a partnership. It is just a free wicket.

    I wish I didn't have to say this but the game is done now. It needed Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine to have a good partnership at the top.

    Bates did so well for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred last summer because she went away from those dinky shots.

  4. Henry Moeran
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    That is a horrible shot.

  5. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    SchuttGetty Images

    What has she just done? What has she done?

    There is absolutely no need for that. Play yourself in. It is the first legal delivery.

    That is so, so stupid.

  6. wicket

    WICKET

    Bates b Schutt 0 (NZ 5-1)

    Bowled her!

    It is an awful shot from Suzie Bates, though. She has stepped across her stumps to try and scoop the ball into the on-side but completely misses the ball and it smashes into the stumps!

    What a start for Australia. Awful from the New Zealand opener.

  7. NZ 5-0

    Megan Schutt starts with a wide that flies away for four. Not the best start.

  8. We are ready to go again. The experienced Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates will open for New Zealand. A good start is needed to keep on top of the run-rate.

    Megan Schutt will open the bowling for Australia.

  9. Missing Windies tour saved my career - Broad

    BroadGetty Images

    Our man in New Zealand, Stephan Shemilt, has been speaking to Stuart Broad today.

    Broad told Stephan that he believes being left out of England's tour of West Indies last year saved his Test career.

    Broad and long-time new-ball partner James Anderson were omitted for a series played on dead pitches which England lost 1-0.

    After he and Anderson were recalled, Broad was England's leading wicket-taker in the home summer. "I don't think it was designed like that by the selectors but I count myself as pretty lucky," said Broad.

    Speaking before England's two-Test series against New Zealand gets under way in Mount Maunganui on Thursday (01:00 GMT), Broad added: "If I had gone there on those pitches I'm not sure I'd be here now. Arguably that decision saved my career.

    "Looking back a year I would not have chosen to miss the Caribbean but it was a good thing that has happened for me."

    Read more from Broad here

  10. Australia's Alyssa Healy: "I think 173 can be enough if we bowl like we know we can. We probably left a few out there but it's a decent total.

    "I didn't know how long I had left in me and was a little bit gassed after not playing for a while.

    "We saw Lea Tahuhu get a bit of indifferent bounce with that scrambled seam so wouldn't be surprised if our bowlers try a few things. But you don't want to leave the stumps tonight, you give this line-up any width and they punish you.

    "Every game in this World Cup is crucial. We will give everything we can to get over the line tonight."

  11. Thanks, Matthew.

    In news that will surprise no-one: Australia are very good at cricket.

    New Zealand will take heart from taking nine wickets towards the end of the innings, but the fact Australia put on 173 and it still feels like they left a few runs out there sends out a message to the rest of the tournament.

  12. Here's Tom Mallows to take you through the chase...

  13. It may not maytter but it was a sloppy finish to the innings from Australia.

    They were 148-4 with three and a half overs to go and ended on 173-9.

  14. New Zealand will feel they have a chance after taking 5-19 at the end there.

    But had the damage already been done?

  15. Daniel Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    This is a measure of the strength in depth of Australia. That was a shot from their number 11.

  16. Interval - Aus 173-9

    But that just shows you how good Australia are.

    Their number 11 Darcie Brown hits the final ball for four.

    They reach an imposing score but maybe not quite as big as it could have been.

  17. wicket

    WICKET

    McGrath c Devine b J Kerr 8 (Aus 167-9)

    When does this become sloppy from Australia?

  18. Aus 167-8

    A single and a dot from Jess Kerr now.

  19. Aus 166-8

    Just a single for McGrath to start the final over. New Zealand are closing it out well.

  20. Georgia Elwiss
    England all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

    New Zealand are finishing this innings strongly and giving themselves a bit of momentum, which is so important. But have Australia already got enough runs?