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Women's Cricket World Cup live updates: White Ferns v Australia

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 5:24 GMT by rnz
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White Ferns fall to Australia in a tightly‑contested 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup match

RNZ Live Update – 9 December 2022

The 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was in full swing in the South Island, with the New Zealand White Ferns taking on the Australian national side in a high‑stakes group‑stage clash that was billed as a “must‑watch” fixture by the media and fans alike. The match, held at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, was the final group encounter for both teams in the tournament and carried the weight of determining the semi‑final match‑ups.

A close run‑chase ends in an Australian win

Australia posted a respectable total of 215 runs for 5 wickets in their 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a disciplined 59 from senior batter Erin Burns, who laid a solid foundation with 29 runs off just 18 balls. Australia’s openers, Meg Lanning and Tash Molesworth, set the tone early with a 40‑run partnership that saw the score hit 60 before the first wicket fell. A breakthrough came from Australian all‑rounder Megan Schutt, who removed New Zealand captain Suzie Bates in the 24th over with a tidy 4‑run dismissal. Schutt finished the innings with figures of 3/29, setting a tone for the rest of the Australian bowlers.

The White Ferns, who had finished their previous game against India with a narrow win, were determined to finish the tournament on a high. They were paced by a gritty 72 from Sophie Devine, who managed to keep the scoreboard moving despite the Australian bowlers’ disciplined line and length. New Zealand’s wickets fell at regular intervals, with a key wicket falling in the 31st over when Maia Lee was dismissed for a single. Australia’s pace attack, led by Hannah Jolly and Jess White, were relentless, each taking a wicket and applying pressure on the New Zealand batters.

In the chase, the White Ferns found themselves in a precarious position of 150 for 5 after 35 overs. A surge from the lower order saw them to 190 for 8, with the 9th wicket falling with only 10 overs remaining. The match came down to the last over: New Zealand needed 16 runs to win, but Australia’s tail‑enders, including Jolly and White, were able to defend their wickets by executing precise yorkers and slower balls. The final ball was a 0‑run dot, sealing a 10‑run win for the Australians and sending the crowd into a mixture of disappointment for the White Ferns and jubilation for the Australians.

Group standings and tournament implications

With the victory, Australia moved to the top of Group A with a record of 5–1, while New Zealand finished second in the group with 3–3. The Australian win effectively secured their place in the semi‑finals, where they are slated to face India – the highest‑ranked side from Group B. New Zealand, meanwhile, will play England in the other semi‑final, setting up a potential classic showdown between the two historic rivals.

The White Ferns, who had been leading the group after a strong start, now face a tougher road to the final. Their performance in this match, particularly the loss of a key wicket in the closing overs, will be a focus of analysis in the coming weeks as they prepare to face the England team.

Comments from the sidelines

Post‑match, Australian captain Meg Lanning expressed her delight at the team’s performance. “We came into this match with confidence and executed our plans well,” she said. “The batters did their job, and the bowlers were clinical. It’s a good result for us as we look forward to the semi‑final.”

White Fern captain Suzie Bates was quick to highlight the resilience of her team. “We fought until the very last ball,” Bates said. “The Australians were a very strong side and they deserved to win. We’ll learn from this and look at what we can do better in the next match.”

Contextual background

The 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup was held in two countries – New Zealand and Australia – and marked the 12th edition of the tournament. The tournament drew record viewership numbers and increased media coverage for women’s cricket, reinforcing the growing popularity of the sport. The White Ferns, who have been a strong force in international women’s cricket for decades, were one of the favorites to reach the final, while Australia had a history of success in the World Cup.

The match was covered extensively on RNZ, with live commentary, commentary from former players, and an in‑depth analysis of key moments. The article linked to a full scorecard of the match (via the RNZ Sports “Women’s Cricket World Cup” section) and to a feature on the White Ferns’ performance throughout the tournament. The RNZ coverage also included a link to a separate article about the upcoming semi‑finals, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the tournament’s trajectory.

Looking ahead

With Australia’s victory, the group stage is now over, and the focus turns to the semi‑finals. The Australian side will face India, who have already shown a strong batting line‑up, while the White Ferns will need to regroup and prepare for a challenging match against England. For fans of women’s cricket, the next few days promise thrilling cricketing action as the tournament moves toward its final stages.

The RNZ live update on this match encapsulated not only the on‑field drama but also the broader narrative of the tournament’s significance for women’s sport in the Southern Hemisphere. For a deeper dive into the scorecard and post‑match analysis, readers can follow the links provided in the RNZ article to RNZ Sports’ dedicated Women’s Cricket World Cup coverage.