Australia kickstarted their home summer with a 3-0 white-ball thrashing against the Nigar Sultana Joty-led maiden bilateral ODI series down under. Next up, they are hosting the Amelia Kerr-led White Ferns for a three-match T20I series from 18th to 22nd October 2026.
One of the biggest positives for the home side was the return of their regular skipper, Sophie Molineux, recovering from a hip injury that ruled her out of the Bangladesh series, opening up an opportunity for one of the designated vice-captains, Tahlia McGrath, who is searching for a resurgence to step in as a stand-in skipper for the series.
Georgia Plimmer and Maddy Green fifties take White Ferns to 162/2.
Home skipper Sophie Molinuex won the toss and chose to bowl first in the 1st T20I at North Sydney Oval, Sydney. Kim Garth provided them with an ideal start by dismissing Flora Devonshire in the 3rd over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for her side.
Skipper Amelia Kerr joined Georgia Plimmer at the crease, and the duo led some sort of a recovery with a much-needed 30-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Annabel Sutherland got the big scalp of the opposition skipper Amelia Kerr (9 off 12 balls) in the 7th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for Australia.
Maddy Green (56* off 37 balls) joined opening batter Georgia Plimmer (85* off 68 balls) at the crease, and the pair stitched the 2nd highest 3rd wicket stand for New Zealand in the format, worth 127 runs to take New Zealand to a competitive total of 162/2 in their quota of 20 overs. Georgia Plimmer registered her career-best performance with the bat for her side in the format. Maddy Green registered her 3rd T20I half-century.
Annabel Sutherland (4-0-28-1) and Kim Garth (4-0-34-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for Australia. Georgia Wareham (4-0-25-0) was impressive with the ball in her spell.
Ellyse Perry half-century gives Australia T20I series lead
Chasing a tricky total of 163, the home side were pushed on the back foot as opener Georgia Voll was dismissed for a two-ball duck. Bree Illing provided the 1st breakthrough for New Zealand on the 2nd ball of their defence. Ellyse Perry joined the wicket-keeper batter Beth Mooney at the crease, and the pair settled the nerves with a much-needed 86-run stand for the 2nd wicket. An unfortunate run-out ended Beth Mooney’s stay (38 off 25 balls) at the crease in the 9th over of the innings to provide the 2nd breakthrough for the visitors.
The Australian batters continued with the attacking approach despite losing wickets at regular intervals. A quick-fire 26-run stand for the 5th wicket between Annabel Sutherland (9 off 5 balls) and Ashleigh Gardner (23 off 17 balls) took them in the driver’s seat in the contest. The White Ferns bowlers fought back with quick wickets to keep themselves in the contest, making Australia earn their runs. The home side eventually got over the line with 2 wickets in hand and 7 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Ellyse Perry registered her 12th T20I half-century (52 off 30 balls), and skipper Sophie Molineux (11 off 5 balls) played her part with the bat for her side. Jess Kerr (4-0-25-3) and Nensi Patel (3-0-18-0) were impressive with the ball; skipper Amelia Kerr (4-0-50-1) had a rare off day at the office.
Georgia Plimmer earned the Player of the Match, courtesy of her career-best performance (85* off 68 balls) despite being on the losing side. Her knock included 10 boundaries and a maximum.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.