The 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup is finally here, and it’s kicking off with a classic trans-Tasman tussle. The defending champions, Australia, are squaring off against their rivals, current Zealand, in a match that looks like a story of two completely different journeys. On one hand, you have the unstoppable Australian juggernaut, and on the other, the ever-resilient White Ferns, ready to prove that on the world stage, past form means very little.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Australia enters as the seven-time defending champion, having won their last nine ODI series.
- ✓ current Zealand aims to defy a poor run of form, reminiscent of their T20 World Cup victory last year.
- ✓ The match is the first-ever women's international at Indore's Holkar Stadium, on a pitch expected to be a "run fest. "
- ✓ Key players Alyssa Healy and Sophie Devine lead their sides, with Devine playing her farewell ODI series. Another important factor is
- ✓ Amelia Kerr reached a milestone, taking her 100th ODI wicket for current Zealand in the opening powerplay.
The Unstoppable Green and Gold Machine
Let's be honest, it's tough to make a case against Australia winning it all. They've been bossing ODIs like, well, the world champions they are. Since lifting the last World Cup, they've been on an incredible gallop, racking up 26 wins in 30 ODIs and winning their last nine consecutive ODI series. What's particularly interesting is They brush teams aside at home and away, and they're more than comfortable in Indian conditions thanks to the WPL and recent tours.
They even played a three-match series here in north India as a warm-up, which they comfortably won 2-1. This isn't just a team; it's a well-oiled machine with a ridiculous amount of depth. Even with a few recent injury niggles to players like Phoebe Litchfield, Annabel Sutherland, and Darcie Brown, vice-captain Tahlia McGrath confirmed everyone is fit and available for selection. That’s the kind of confidence that only comes from being at the very top.
Captain Alyssa Healy put it perfectly when she said, "I don't think it's quite in the Australian culture to get too complacent about things at any point in time. " That's the mindset of a team with seven World Cups in their cabinet, hunting for an eighth and the chance to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1988. We should also mention They are the standard everyone else is chasing.
A Squad Built on Depth and Experience
Just look at their squad—it feels self-sustaining. Sophie Molineux is back from knee surgery, adding to a spin arsenal that already includes the incredible talents of Georgia Wareham, Ashleigh Gardner, and Alana King. Then you have rising star Phoebe Litchfield, just 22, stepping into her first ODI World Cup, but she’s surrounded by a wealth of experience in players like Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, and Healy herself. Ten of the 15 players here were part of that victorious 2022 campaign.
Can the Underdogs Bite Back.
Now, let's talk about current Zealand. On paper, it’s a completely different picture. They have a forgettable streak coming into this tournament and haven't even played an ODI in six months. Looking back at the 2022 World Cup on home soil would only bring back memories of a sixth-place finish and a 141-run thrashing by, you guessed it, Australia.
But here's the thing about the White Ferns: you can never, ever count them out. They’ve shown us before that form and records don't mean much when a trophy is on the line. They entered last year's T20 World Cup on the back of 10 straight losses and went on to lift the trophy. That’s the kind of resilience that makes them so dangerous, and a big chunk of that victorious squad is here to do it again.
Players like captain Sophie Devine, former captain Suzie Bates, pace leader Lea Tahuhu, and the brilliant allrounder Amelia Kerr know how to turn things around in alien conditions. They may not have the glowing stats, but they have the experience and the belief that anything is possible in a World Cup.
The Captains' Duel
This match brings a fascinating clash between the two captains. For Australia, Alyssa Healy is leading in her maiden ODI World Cup as skipper after Meg Lanning’s departure. She's just back from a long injury layoff and will be keen to find her rhythm on a flat pitch. Interestingly, her average and strike rate against current Zealand are lower than her career stats, something the Kiwis will be desperate to maintain.
For current Zealand, this is a huge tournament for Sophie Devine. It's her farewell ODI series, and after leading her team to T20 glory, she's hungry to end her 50-over career with a double. She's in great form after a strong run in the Hundred and has heaps of experience in India, having first toured here as a 17-year-established back in 2007. Her all-round skills will be absolutely critical.
The Stage is Set in Indore
The battle will unfold at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, a venue hosting its very first women's international. And what a debut it promises to be. It's worth noting that Both Devine and McGrath have described the pitch as "incredibly flat" and are expecting a "run fest," which is pretty typical for white-ball matches here. So, get ready for some big scores and explosive batting.
As for the early action, the coin fell in Australia's favor, and Healy chose to bat first. The White Ferns struck early, though, with newcomer Bree Illing removing the Aussie skipper. But the bigger moment came shortly after, when Amelia Kerr snapped up the crucial wicket of Phoebe Litchfield with her very first ball, marking her 100th wicket in Women's ODIs. What a start for current Zealand and a massive milestone for one of their stars.
History and Milestones on the Horizon
The history books are heavily skewed in Australia’s favor. They've won the last 15 completed ODIs against current Zealand, a dominant streak stretching back to February 2017. The last time current Zealand beat Australia in a World Cup was way back in 2009. One key aspect to consider is But as Devine says, records are made to be broken, especially on the biggest stage.
Keep an eye on the veteran Suzie Bates, too. The 38-year-established is just 104 runs away from becoming only the second woman in history, after Mithali Raj, to score 6000 runs in ODIs. It’s a tournament packed with legacy, rivalry, and the potential for some truly unforgettable moments.
Conclusion
So, what’s the bottom line. Australia walks in as the overwhelming favorite, a champion side with a relentless hunger for more glory. They have the form, the depth, and the experience. But current Zealand brings something else: the heart of an underdog that has tasted ultimate victory against all odds. On a flat deck designed for a batting spectacle, this World Cup opener is so much more than just another game—it's a statement of intent, and it's already delivering high drama.
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