Australia beat New Zealand by eight wickets: first women's T20 international
5.35am CET 05:35
Australia star batter Beth Mooney has celebrated her milestone match in style by leading the side to a commanding eight-wicket triumph over the T20 world champions New Zealand at Eden Park on Friday.
The visitors were arguably below their best in the field as they gave up a strong start to allow New Zealand to edge towards a competitive total as Melie Kerr (51 not out) and Sophie Devine (39 no) guided the hosts to 137-2. But there was no denying Australia once openers Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll came to the crease.
The left-right combination blazed away for an unbroken 77 runs during the six overs of the powerplay and fired Australia to within 25 runs of their target by the halfway mark of the chase. Voll was dismissed soon after reaching her maiden T20 half-century with Australia only 15 runs short of their mark, but Mooney celebrated her 200th international by hitting the winning runs as she finished on 75 not out.
But Australia's win could have come at a huge cost with all-rounder Ash Gardner sent for scans on her right index finger after injuring it while attempting to catch a powerful Devine straight drive late in the White Ferns' innings.
New Zealand picked up a couple of late wickets when the win was already out of their reach but will have to significantly turn around their form and come with better bowling plans if they are to challenge Australia when the arch-rivals meet again on Sunday.
Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney take the game away from New Zealand with a 123-run opening stand for Australia at Eden Park. Photograph:Updated at 5.49am CET
5.27am CET 05:27 Australia beat New Zealand by eight wickets
Updated at 5.51am CET
5.24am CET 05:24 WICKET! Litchfield c Inglis b Tahuhu 2 (Australia 131-2)
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5.14am CET 05:14 WICKET! Voll c Carson b Tahuhu 50 (Australia 123-1)
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Updated at 5.51am CET
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4.14am CET 04:14 New Zealand set a target of 138
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3.22am CET 03:22 WICKET! Plimmer c Sutherland b McGrath 27 (New Zealand 47-1)
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Updated at 3.23am CET
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3.05am CET 03:05 WICKET! Bates c Mooney b Brown 14 (New Zealand 32-1)
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Updated at 3.22am CET
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2.32am CET 02:32 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. WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS)
All set for Game One at Eden Park! Batting first after a toss win for Suzie Bates. Follow play LIVE and free in NZ on TVNZ 1, TVNZ+ and Sport Nation NZ. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/ihvdHddG2I 📲 #NZvAUS #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/RZIaMUdBV2 March 21, 2025
2.27am CET 02:27 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. Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket)
200 of the best for an all-format superstar and a very special member of our team 🫶
Congrats Moons! #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/iiIo6RPV9s March 21, 2025
Updated at 3.32am CET
2.22am CET 02:22 New Zealand win the toss and will bat
Updated at 2.24am CET
2.03am CET 02:03 Preamble
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! Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket)
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 March 19, 2025
Updated at 2.22am CET
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