Key events
Tahlia McGrath conceded to Guardian Australia that her side will have to quickly adapt to the unusual dimensions of Eden Park – typically a rugby venue – against New Zealand today. Australia’s women have played one T20I at the Auckland venue back in 2021 … and that was abandoned after only 2.5 overs.
This is how the venue looked just two weeks ago.
Australia have become much more familiar with being the hunted over the past decade or more but this time have reason to make a strong statement against the T20 world champions.
Tahlia McGrath is stand-in skipper with Alyssa Healy sidelined and explained to Guardian Australia that her side is carrying extra motivation into the three-match series in New Zealand.
They’re the world champions and that’s what we want to be. There is a little bit extra on the line for us. We want to go out there and play some really good cricket and come away with, ideally, a 3-0 series win against the world champs.
New Zealand XI
The White Ferns are back with a more familiar line up as nine players that were part of the XI in the T20 World Cup final return to face Australia. Veteran seamer Lea Tahuhu is back to boost the pace attack while promising batter Bella James will have to wait for her opportunity.
New Zealand: Suzie Bates (capt), Georgia Plimmer, Melie Kerr, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Jess Kerr, Polly Inglis (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson.
Australia XI
Australia pick an XI packed with all-round talent that comfortably bats as deep as Georgia Wareham at No 9, withy the leg-spinner preferred to Alana King in conditions expected to favour swing and seam. Young quick Darcie Brown will partner Megan Schutt with the new ball, while Beth Mooney will later open in her 200th international.
Australia: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath (capt), Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
New Zealand win the toss and will bat
Suzie Bates has stepped into the role of White Ferns captain with aplomb as the veteran opener wins the toss at Eden Park and elects to bat.
Preamble
Martin Pegan
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the first women’s T20I between New Zealand and Australia.
The White Ferns arrive at Eden Park as the T20 world champions after their stunning form reversal last year ended with a historic win over South Africa in the final. Australia had claimed the T20 World Cup at the three previous tournaments before their shock defeat to South Africa in the semi-finals, and have been on a tear since then with 12 victories from as many completed matches across all formats.
Both sides are close to full strength though Australia are most crucially without captain Alyssa Healy for this three-match series as the star keeper-batter rehabilitates a foot injury. New Zealand have recalled Sophie Devine, who has given up the T20 captaincy since lifting the trophy last year, while Melie Kerr also returns after sitting out the white-ball matches against Sri Lanka and impressing in the WPL.
The conditions in Auckland are looking promising for a full 40 overs, with a predicted high of 24C and little cloud around.
First ball will be at 2.45pm local time or 12.45pm AEDT. I’ll be back shortly with the toss and team news, but in the meantime keep me company with your thoughts and predictions on email or @martinpegan on Bluesky or X. Let’s get into it!
Finishing the season with a stint across the ditch! 🏏
Aussie fans can tune into the action live on Fox Cricket and Kayo #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/EWdXkRo9WB— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 19, 2025
