Prediction: Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women 1st T20I lineups and pitch report — Who do you think will win? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Sydney in October belongs to Australia. Sophie Molineux's side lifted a seventh T20 World Cup at Lord's in July, and now they get to enjoy it at home, with three T20Is at North Sydney Oval.
New Zealand know how this tends to go, because Australia have won nine of the last 10 T20Is between the sides. "It's a huge rivalry that's been going on for a long time," said Shelley Nitschke.
Melie Kerr's visitors comes with four new faces in the squad, among them Eden Carson, back from elbow surgery. Australia's Champions Trophy build-up starts here, with the first ball bowled on Sunday.
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women prediction: Who will win?
Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu have retired, Dean Brownlie is interim coach, and what remains is a young side with, in Nitschke's words, "nothing to lose".
That fearlessness is a real threat, and Maddy Green has 154 runs in her last six innings against Australia to back it up. But Australia have won their last 10 matches and have scored at 8.9 an over in 2026, against New Zealand's 8.2. They also won the last two series between these sides 3-0, and they have won 11 of their 12 T20Is at North Sydney Oval.
The Cricket News Prediction: Australia to win
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women 1st T20I: Team news and starting XIs
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
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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 ov.), AUS W vs. SL W |
Lowest total | 69/10 (17.1 ov.), NZ W vs. AUS W |
Highest score chased | 213/3 (19.5 ov.), WI W vs. AUS W |
Lowest score defended | 134/8 (20 ov.), AUS W vs. NZ W |
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