AUS-W vs NZ-W: Ashleigh Gardner lauds the entire Aussie squad after an emphatic win

image-le10i3vrGardner picked up a fifer [Twitter]

The Australia women's team started their T20 World Cup title defence in some style, thrashing their rivals, New Zealand women by a whopping 97 runs on Sunday (IST).

The game was beautifully setup by the returning Alyssa Healy (55), and the late onslaught from Ellyse Perry (40), as the Australian side posted 173 on the board. In reply, the White Ferns were never really in the hunt, and lost wickets at regular intervals. The target proved to be out of their reach as the young New Zealand side were dismissed for just 76.

The star of the show with the ball was Ashleigh Gardner, who picked up 5 for 12 in three overs and the New Zealand side had no answer to her variations.

Talking after her Player of the Match performance, Gardner praised the entire Australian squad, and also gave an insight into the tweaks she has made into her bowling.

"That, in my opinion, was set up by our batters and afforded us some leeway and freedom with the ball. Just by chance, I arrived and took those wickets in the conclusion. To get up and over the ball and attempt to turn it, I've worked a lot on my wrist position. 

But the length is more important. Keeping the stumps in play also kept lbw in the conversation because some were bouncing today and some weren't. Because some bowlers were staying up and some were shooting low, the entire bowling unit needed to bowl at that knee roll length in order to keep the stumps in play." 

The five-time champions had the perfect start to the competition, and are the overwhelming favourites to retain their crown. Next up, they face Bangladesh women on February 14.