GUWAHATI, India — The New Zealand women's cricket team, the White Ferns, finally got their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup campaign off the mark with a hard-fought 100-run victory over Bangladesh at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The win, built on the back of a record-breaking partnership between Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green, helped the team rebound from a disappointing opening loss and showcased the depth of their batting lineup.
After being put into bat, New Zealand's innings got off to a disastrous start, crumbling to 81 for 4 and then 131 for 5. The Bangladeshi bowling attack, led by the experienced Fariha Trisna and Nahida Akter, exploited the early conditions with disciplined lines and sharp fielding. The White Ferns' top order, including the dangerous Suzie Bates and skipper Sophie Devine, were back in the pavilion, leaving the innings in a precarious state and the hopes of a competitive total hanging by a thread.
The Kerr-Green Rescue Act
With the scoreboard reading a worrying 131 for 5, all-rounder Amelia Kerr was joined at the crease by the experienced Maddy Green. What followed was a masterclass in composure and calculated aggression. The duo meticulously rebuilt the innings, initially seeing off the potent Bangladeshi spinners before accelerating in the final overs with breathtaking power. Their partnership was not just a recovery; it was a record-setting onslaught that completely shifted the momentum of the match.
The pair forged a monumental, unbeaten 6th-wicket stand of 180 runs, a new record for New Zealand in Women's World Cup history. Kerr, in a Player of the Match performance, was simply sublime, bringing up a masterful century—her fourth in ODIs. She finished on a commanding 108 not out from 105 deliveries, an innings punctuated by 11 boundaries. Green provided the perfect foil, playing a supporting role before exploding in the death overs to remain unbeaten on 91 from 92 balls, missing out on her own century but playing an equally crucial role in the team's total.
A Commanding Total and Clinical Bowling
Thanks to the heroics of Kerr and Green, New Zealand posted a formidable 311 for 5 from their 50 overs—a total that seemed a distant dream during the top-order collapse. The final 10 overs yielded over 100 runs, demoralizing the Bangladeshi bowlers who had worked so hard for their early breakthroughs. Facing a steep chase of 312, Bangladesh needed a strong start, but the New Zealand bowling attack had other plans.
The White Ferns' bowlers were relentless from the outset. Lea Tahuhu struck early, and the pressure was maintained by the spin duo of Eden Carson and the ever-reliable Amelia Kerr, who carried her brilliance from with the bat into her bowling. The Bangladeshi batters struggled to build any substantial partnerships, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Key performances with the ball included:
- Lea Tahuhu: The pace spearhead, providing the initial breakthrough and finishing with 2/34.
- Amelia Kerr: The all-round star, capping her perfect day with a tidy spell of 2/42.
- Eden Carson: The off-spinner was highly effective, claiming 2/32 and stifling the run flow in the middle overs.
Bangladesh was eventually bowled out for 211 in the 46th over, with captain Nigar Sultana Joty offering the only significant resistance with a fighting 50. The victory was a comprehensive all-round performance from the White Ferns, highlighting their ability to fight back from adversity.
Captain Devine on the Team's Resilience
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine expressed immense pride in her team's character after the match. She acknowledged the early struggle but praised the middle order for seizing the initiative. "At 130 for 5, you're looking down the barrel a little bit, but the way Maddy and Amelia constructed that partnership was just brilliant. They absorbed the pressure and then put the foot down at the end. It's exactly the kind of fight we needed to show," Devine stated in the post-match presentation.
She also emphasized the importance of the win for the team's morale and standing in the tournament. "This is a massive confidence booster for the group. We knew we had to bounce back strongly after the first game, and to do it so convincingly, with both bat and ball, shows the character in this squad. It sets us up nicely for the challenges ahead."
Bangladesh's Perspective and Looking Ahead
For Bangladesh, the match was a tale of two halves. Their bowling and fielding were exemplary for the first 35 overs, but they were powerless to stop the Kerr-Green juggernaut at the death. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty pointed to that partnership as the defining period of the game. "We were in a very good position, but they batted exceptionally well. We lost our way a bit in the last 15 overs," she admitted.
Despite the loss, there were positives for Bangladesh, particularly their ability to dismantle a world-class top order. The challenge now is to maintain that intensity for a full 50 overs against the best teams. For New Zealand, the victory injects crucial momentum into their World Cup campaign. The performance of their middle order proves they are not reliant solely on their star-studded top three, adding a new layer of depth and threat to their lineup as they progress in the tournament.
The White Ferns will look to build on this winning momentum in their upcoming fixtures, with their next match against a strong South African side. After demonstrating their resilience and firepower, New Zealand has firmly announced themselves as serious contenders for the World Cup title, proving that they can win from any situation. The message to their rivals is clear: even when down, the White Ferns are never out.