Match Preview: Australia Women vs New Zealand Women, 2nd T20I, 2025 (AUS-W vs NZ-W)
The Australia Women vs New Zealand Women (AUS-W vs NZ-W) 2nd T20I promises to be an exciting clash as the two sides meet at Bay Oval on March 23, 2025, in the second of a three-match series. With Australia taking a 1-0 lead after a commanding eight-wicket win in the first game, New Zealand will be desperate to level the series on home soil, while the visitors aim to seal the trophy with a game to spare.
Recap of the 1st T20I AUS W vs NZ W
In the series opener at Eden Park, Auckland, on March 21, Australia showcased their dominance. New Zealand, batting first, managed 137/2 in 20 overs, with Amelia Kerr (51* off 46) and Sophie Devine (39* off 36) stitching an unbeaten 90-run stand. However, their cautious approach proved insufficient as Australia’s openers, Beth Mooney (75* off 42) and Georgia Voll (51 off 30), chased the target in just 13.3 overs, finishing at 138/2. The duo’s 123-run partnership set records, including Australia’s highest powerplay score (77) in women’s T20Is. New Zealand’s bowling struggled to contain the onslaught, and a finger injury to Ashleigh Gardner was the only blemish for AUS-W.
Team Form and Key Players
Australia Women (AUS-W):
The top-ranked side is in scintillating form, whitewash of England in the 2025 Women’s Ashes. Beth Mooney’s explosive 75* in her 200th international underlined her class, while Georgia Voll’s maiden T20I fifty announced her arrival. Tahlia McGrath, captaining in Alyssa Healy’s absence, brings stability, and Ellyse Perry’s all-round prowess adds depth. The bowling unit, led by Megan Schutt and Annabel Sutherland, was tight in Auckland, though Gardner’s fitness remains a concern after scans. Darcie Brown (1/22 in the 1st T20I) impressed with her pace, and Sophie Molineux could be a spin threat on a used pitch.
New Zealand Women (NZ-W):
The reigning T20 World Cup champions have struggled to replicate their 2024 heroics. Their batting lacked aggression in the first game, with Kerr and Devine unable to accelerate despite staying unbeaten. Suzie Bates (14 off 14) fell early, and Georgia Plimmer (27 off 23) couldn’t convert her start. The return of Devine, Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu bolsters the squad, but their bowlers—Rosemary Mair, Jess Kerr, and Eden Carson—were taken apart by Mooney and Voll. Kerr’s all-round skills (51* and economical bowling) make her a key figure, but NZ-W need more firepower to challenge Australia.
Pitch and Conditions AUS W vs NZ W 2nd T20I
Bay Oval typically offers a batting-friendly surface with short boundaries, favoring high scores. The average first-innings total in T20Is here hovers around 170, though teams chasing have a slight edge (4 wins in 6 games). Weather on March 23 is expected to be clear, with temperatures around 20°C and minimal wind—ideal for a full game. The pitch might offer some early movement for pacers, but spinners could come into play later.
Head-to-Head
Overall T20I Record: Australia leads 27-21 in 49 matches.
In New Zealand: AUS-W holds a 10-8 advantage in 18 games.
-Recent Form: Australia has won 9 of the last 10 T20Is against NZ-W, including the 1st T20I.
Key Match-Ups and Strategies
-AUS-W: Mooney and Voll will look to dominate NZ-W’s powerplay bowling again, while McGrath and Perry provide middle-order muscle. Schutt and Brown will target early wickets to expose NZ-W’s fragile top order. If Gardner is unfit, Molineux or Georgia Wareham could step up against Kerr and Devine.
-NZ-W: Bates and Plimmer must provide a brisk start to set a platform for Kerr and Devine to finish strongly. Tahuhu’s pace and Kerr’s leg-spin will be crucial to disrupt Australia’s batting juggernaut. They’ll need to bowl tighter lines to avoid another boundary barrage.
Probable XIs
Australia Women: Beth Mooney, Georgia Voll, Tahlia McGrath (c), Ellyse Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner (fitness pending)/Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicole Faltum (wk), Megan Schutt, Sophie Molineux, Darcie Brown.
New Zealand Women: Suzie Bates (c), Georgia Plimmer, Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson.
Who Will Win?
Australia Women enter the AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20I as clear favorites. Their batting depth, clinical bowling, and recent dominance over New Zealand—coupled with the form of Mooney and Voll—give them a significant edge. New Zealand’s batting needs a drastic shift in intent to post or chase a competitive total, and their bowlers must find a way to break Australia’s top order early. While NZ-W have the home advantage and world-champion pedigree, their lackluster showing in Auckland suggests they’re still finding their rhythm.
Prediction: AUS W vs NZ W 2nd T20I
Australia Women (AUS-W) to win and take an unassailable 2-0 series lead. Expect another high-scoring encounter, with Australia likely prevailing by 20-30 runs or 6-7 wickets.
Match details AUS W vs NZ W 2nd T20I
Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Time:7:15 AM IST (2:45 PM NZDT)
Series Status: Australia leads 1-0 after the 1st T20I
