A landmark hundred from Ash Gardner has provided a soaring lift-off to Australia's World Cup defence as the seven-time champs downed New Zealand by 89 runs at Indore's Holkar Stadium.

Allrounder Gardner was the model of control as she extricated Alyssa Healy's side from a nervy spot in Wednesday's opener, becoming the first Indigenous player to hit a century for Australia in any 50-over World Cup while also recording the highest innings by any woman coming in at No.6 or below in an ODI.

Gardner reckoned she'd thrived on the pressure as she smacked 115 off 83 balls to help lead Australia, after they had decided to bat, from a precarious 4-113 to their record ODI tally against New Zealand of 326 all out of 49.3 overs.

It proved far too much for the White Ferns, despite a defiant 111 off 1

See Full Page