Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu retired after July's T20 World Cup, where New Zealand lost to West Indies, Sri Lanka and England and missed the semi-finals.
Now, Melie Kerr leads a rebuilt White Ferns side into Sydney, with Dean Brownlie as interim coach after Ben Sawyer's exit and off-spinner Eden Carson back from elbow surgery.
Waiting are the world champions, unbeaten on the way to a seventh title at Lord's. Australia won each of the last two T20I series between these sides 3-0, and their most recent meeting, in March 2025, ended with New Zealand eight runs short of 180/4.
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women 1st T20I prediction: Who will win?
The World Cup winners were unbeaten in the 2026 tournament, Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll have produced the most fruitful partnership of Australia's year, and North Sydney Oval rewards aggressive batting, which suits Nicola Carey's low dot-ball rate.
New Zealand are rebuilding without Devine, Bates and Tahuhu, and a fearless young side may land some blows, but Carson's return won't be enough.
TSN Prediction: Australia to win
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Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women pitch report, 1st T20I: North Sydney Oval
T20 stat | Value |
Total matches | 12 |
Matches won batting first | 4 |
Matches won bowling first | 8 |
Average 1st innings score | 151 |
Average 2nd innings score | 133 |
Highest total | 226/2 (20 ovs.), AUS W vs. SL W |
Lowest total | 69/10 (17.1 ovs.), NZ W vs. AUS W |
Highest score chased | 213/3 (19.5 ovs.), WI W vs. AUS W |
Lowest score defended | 134/8 (20 ovs.), AUS W vs. NZ W |
Head-to-head in T20I: Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women (bilateral series only)
Matches | Won | Win % | |
Australia Women | 57 | 36 | 63% |
New Zealand Women | 57 | 18 | 32% |
No result / not decided | 57 | 3 | 5% |
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women betting tips for 1st T20I
Here is our favourite betting angle for Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women:
BETTING TIP | ODDS |
New Zealand under 46.5 after six overs | 1.44 |
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women lineups, team news for 1st T20I
Here's how we think both sides will line up in this game:
Australia Women predicted lineup against New Zealand Women
Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton
New Zealand Women predicted lineup against Australia Women
Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Brooke Halliday, Melie Kerr (c), Maddy Green, Bella James, Polly Inglis (wk), Jess Kerr, Eden Carson, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women odds: Who is the favourite for 1st T20I?
Result | |
Australia Women | 1.11 |
New Zealand Women | 6.20 |
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How to watch Australia Women vs New Zealand Women 1st T20I match: Live stream, TV channel
Here is all the key information for how to watch Australia Women vs New Zealand Women 1st T20I:
- Date: Sunday, October 18
- Venue: North Sydney
- Time: 01:45 PM (IST)
- TV/Stream: FanCode