Australia Women vs New Zealand Women 3rd T20I Match Preview – March 26, 2025
The Australia Women’s tour of New Zealand 2025 culminates in the third and final T20 International (T20I) on March 26, 2025, at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Set to commence at 7:15 PM NZDT (11:45 AM IST), this clash follows a gripping series where Australia have already sealed a 2-0 lead. With the series decided, New Zealand aim for a consolation win on home soil, while the dominant Australians look to complete a clean sweep and fine-tune their preparations ahead of future challenges. Expect a clash of pride and prowess under the Bay Oval lights.
Match Details Australia Women vs New Zealand Women
Date: March 26, 2025
Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Time: 7:15 PM NZDT (11:45 AM IST)
Weather: Clear skies, 18-22°C, with potential dew in the evening; no rain forecast.
Pitch Report: The Bay Oval is a batting-friendly surface with short boundaries (under 60m square) and true bounce. The second T20I saw 286 runs scored, suggesting another high-scoring contest. Dew could favor the chasing side.
Head-to-Head Record Australia Women vs New Zealand women
Total Matches: 49
Australia Women Wins: 25
New Zealand Women Wins: 23
No Result/Abandoned: 1
At Bay Oval: New Zealand lead 2-1 in T20Is here, but Australia’s 82-run win in the second T20I on March 23 tilts momentum their way. Historically, Australia have dominated recent encounters, winning 8 of the last 10 T20Is against New Zealand since 2020.
Series Recap Australia Women vs New Zealand Women
Australia asserted their supremacy early in the series. In the first T20I at Eden Park (March 21), they restricted New Zealand to 137/2 before chasing it down in 13.3 overs, led by Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 75 and Georgia Voll’s 50. The second T20I at Bay Oval saw Australia post 204/3, with Mooney (70) and Ellyse Perry (47*) starring, before Annabel Sutherland’s 4/8 dismantled New Zealand for 122, securing an 82-run victory. New Zealand’s batting has struggled to counter Australia’s disciplined bowling, while their own attack has lacked penetration against a rampant Aussie lineup.
Squad Analysis Australia women vs New Zealand Women
Australia Women: Under Tahlia McGrath’s captaincy, Australia have showcased depth and versatility. Their batting, led by Mooney (145 runs in 2 games), Perry, and Voll, has been explosive, while all-rounders Ashleigh Gardner and Sutherland provide balance. The bowling unit—featuring Megan Schutt’s experience, Darcie Brown’s pace, and Sutherland’s breakthroughs—has been relentless. With the series won, they might test bench strength, potentially introducing Kim Garth or Nicole Faltum.
Australia womenSquad: Tahlia McGrath (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum (wk), Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wk), Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
New Zealand Women Squad analysis:
Led by Suzie Bates, the White Ferns have faltered despite flashes of brilliance. Amelia Kerr’s 51* in the first game and Georgia Plimmer’s starts (32 and 22) hint at potential, but their middle order—Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, and Maddy Green—has underperformed. Bowling-wise, Jess Kerr and Eden Carson have been economical, but the absence of injured Molly Penfold has hurt their pace options. They might recall Fran Jonas or Bella James for a spark.
New Zealand Women Squad: Suzie Bates (c), Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu.
Probable Playing XIs : Australia Women vs New Zealand Women 3rd T20I
Australia Women: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath (c), Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
(Possible change: Kim Garth or Nicole Faltum for Harris or Voll).
New Zealand Women:
Suzie Bates (c), Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Polly Inglis (wk), Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson.
*(Possible change: Fran Jonas for Mair).
Key Players to Watch Australia Women vs New Zealand Women
Australia Women Key Player:
Beth Mooney: 145 runs at a strike rate of 164.77; her consistency is unmatched.
Annabel Sutherland: 4/8 in the second T20I; a rising star with bat and ball.
Ellyse Perry: 47* off 32 in the last game; a big knock looms.
New Zealand Women Key Player:
Amelia Kerr: 51 in the opener; her all-round skills are vital.
Suzie Bates: Yet to fire (22 runs in 2 games); a captain’s knock is overdue.
Jess Kerr: 2 wickets in the series; her early spells could challenge Australia.
Live Streaming and Telecast AUS W vs NZ W 3rd T20I
India: Live on Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten 5 SD/HD); streaming on SonyLiv, FanCode, and Amazon Prime Video.
New Zealand: TVNZ for live telecast; streaming on TVNZ+.
Australia: 7Plus and Foxtel; streaming on Kayo Sports.
Global: Check local broadcasters or ICC.tv for other regions.
Tactical Insights Australia Women vs New Zealand Women
Australia’s game plan will likely revolve around their power-hitting top order setting a mammoth total or chasing efficiently under dew. Their bowlers, particularly Schutt and Sutherland, will target New Zealand’s fragile middle order with pace and bounce. New Zealand need Plimmer and Bates to provide a solid start, allowing Kerr and Devine to capitalize in the middle overs. Their bowlers must exploit the early swing at Bay Oval to rattle Australia’s openers, with Carson’s spin crucial against the likes of Perry and Gardner.
Prediction Australia Women vs New Zealand Women
Australia Women are overwhelming favorites, boasting a superior batting lineup and a bowling attack that has consistently outclassed New Zealand. The White Ferns’ batting woes and inability to contain Australia’s firepower—evident in the 82-run drubbing—suggest a tough road ahead. While New Zealand might lift for pride at home, their chances hinge on an extraordinary performance from Kerr or Devine. Expect Australia to chase down anything under 170 or defend 180+ with ease, completing a 3-0 sweep on March 26, 2025, unless the Bay Oval dew and a Kiwi resurgence defy the odds.
Predicted Winner: Australia Women
