Women's World Cup: Australia jump to top of points table after hammering hosts New Zealand

Women's World Cup 2022: Australia jumped to the top of the 8-team points table after their 3rd successive win. Ellyse Perry and Darcie Brown shone as Australia hammered New Zealand by 141 runs on Sunday.

Australia dethroned India from top of the points table at the Women's World Cup 2022 after a dominating 141-run win over hosts New Zealand at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Sunday. The pre-tournament favourites have lived up to their billing, winning their first 3 matches on the trot without breaking a sweat.

Australia rode on an all-round show from Ellyse Perry to post 269 on the board before blowing New Zealand out for 128 in just 30.2 overs. The hosts, who were expected to pose a stern challenge for the trophy after a strong show against India in the lead up to the World Cup, are struggling with 2 wins and as many defeats so far.

Even after losing batting stars Rachael Haynes and Meg Lanning relatively cheaply in just over 15 overs, Australia put 269-8 on the board after batting first at New Zealand's request.

Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath stepped up with half centuries in a 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket and Ashleigh Gardner, just out of Covid-19 isolation, smashed 48 late runs from 18 balls with four sixes and four fours.

"I think it was nice to rebuild a little bit through the middle there with (Beth Mooney), then Thalia came in and especially Ash Gardner near the end with some real fireworks," Perry said.

"It was an awesome way to finish the innings because it was a bit slow and it was nice to finish with some momentum."

Darcie Brown then led a magnificent effort by the Australia bowlers who quickly dismissed New Zealand's prolific top-order batters, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr, to leave the home team reeling at 35-5.