Australia secured their third consecutive ICC Women’s Championship title with a dominant 75-run victory over New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The win marked the culmination of an outstanding campaign in which the Australian team amassed 39 points from 24 matches, a total that no other team can surpass.
India, who have two remaining matches against West Indies and three against Ireland, can only reach 37 points.
After electing to bat, the Australians showcased their batting depth, with Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield providing a strong start through an 88-run opening stand. Annabel Sutherland contributed 42 runs off 43 balls, while Ash Gardner’s explosive 74 off 62 deliveries propelled the visitors to a formidable total of 290.
In response, New Zealand appeared to be in control at 106/1 in the 20th over, but momentum shifted dramatically when Suzie Bates was dismissed via a boundary catch and Melie Kerr was run out. Despite a promising start, the hosts were unable to recover as Australia’s bowlers took charge. Annabel Sutherland claimed 3/39, and Alana King delivered an equally impressive 3/34 to bowl New Zealand out for 215.
The victory ensured Australia remained unbeaten in their bid for the ICC Women’s Championship, having won the competition in its two previous cycles (2014–2016 and 2017–2020). Their triumph not only reaffirms their status as the dominant force in women’s cricket but also secures their place in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
For New Zealand, the loss leaves their qualification hopes in jeopardy. They sit in the sixth and final automatic qualification spot with 21 points from 24 matches. Both Bangladesh, with three matches remaining, and the West Indies, with five, could surpass them, potentially relegating the White Ferns to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
Sri Lanka, however, has cause to celebrate, as the Australian victory ensures they cannot be overtaken by two teams with games in hand, guaranteeing their automatic qualification.
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