Australia began their Women’s T20 World Cup title defence on a resounding note with a comfortable 97-run win over Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand here.

Alyssa Healy made 55, her highest score in the format since the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup final, while captain Meg Lanning (41) and Ellyse Perry (40) also contributed with the bat as Australia racked up a competitive 173/9 after being asked to bat on Saturday.

Healy and Lanning clubbed together and guided Australia to 47/1 from six overs, their best-ever Powerplay score against New Zealand at the T20 World Cup.

New Zealand endured a chase as Suzie Bates was dismissed with the first legitimate ball of their reply and then kept losing wickets in a heap to be bowled out for 76 in 14 overs.

Ashleigh Gardner was the chief destroyer with a sublime spell of 5/12, her best T20I bowling figures.

The start of the New Zealand reply, however, was a surreal one. Megan Schutt bowled five wides with the first ball and with the second, bowled Bates who went down for an improbable scoop.

Both openers were dismissed within the over as skipper Sophie Devine was trapped LBW. Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Amelia Kerr briefly stabilised the innings.

But soon the White Ferns sunk to 37/4.

New Zealand lost three wickets for four runs in 11 balls with Gardner taking the final two wickets in the 14th over.

Brief scores: Australia Women 173/9 in 20 overs (Alyssa Healy 55, Ellyse Perry 40; Amelia Kerr 3/23, Lea Tahuhu 3/37). New Zealand Women 76 in 14 overs (Amelia Kerr 21, Bernadine Bezuidenhout 14; Ashleigh Gardner 5/12, Megan Schutt 2/8). Australia Women won by 97 runs.

Today’s matches

⚫ Ireland Women vs England Women (6.30pm IST)

⚫ South Africa Women vs New Zealand Women (10.30pm IST)