Wellington: The race to win the Women’s Championship remains open after a washout in the first ODI between New Zealand and Australia.
Inclement weather here saw the opening clash of New Zealand’s three-match home ODI series against Australia abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The series is part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship and left both sides frustrated as they seek a place at next year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Australia have already qualified for the 2025 event, but can clinch top spot in the Women’s Championship with two wins from the remaining fixtures in New Zealand.
India trail the Aussies by 10 points, but still have six games to play and could overtake the reigning World Cup champions with wins in all those matches, an ICC report said.
The White Ferns too have plenty to play for as they look to continue the momentum that saw them claim the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE earlier this year.
New Zealand are yet to cement their place at next year’s 50-over World Cup, with the Kiwis currently sitting in sixth place on the Women’s Championship standings with 21 points after no result was achieved at Basin Reserve on Thursday.
Only the top six teams on the standings qualify automatically for the 2025 World Cup, with the bottom four sides entering the Qualifier tournament.
UNI
