The 2024/25 home international season concludes for T20 World Cup champions New Zealand with a three-match T20I series against Australia, scheduled from March 21 to 26, 2025. Ahead of the series, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has revealed a full-strength squad, confirming the inclusion of star players Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, and Lea Tahuhu.
Amelia Kerr, the Player of the Tournament and the Final at the T20 World Cup, makes her return after missing the recent home series against Sri Lanka due to commitments in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India. Representing the Mumbai Indians, Kerr played a pivotal role in their title triumph, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
Meanwhile, Sophie Devine, who captained New Zealand to their maiden T20 World Cup victory in October 2024 during her final assignment as skipper, returns from a well-deserved well-being break she took in December 2024. Fit-again Lea Tahuhu, recovering from multiple hamstring injuries since December, returns to the squad, further strengthening New Zealand’s pace attack.
New Zealand was challenged with squad consistency during their home series against Sri Lanka, losing several players to injury. NZC has also confirmed the return of Bella James, who missed the Sri Lanka series due to a quadricep strain. However, Izzy Gaze remains unavailable as she continues her rehabilitation for a hip flexor sprain, with Polly Inglis named as her replacement.
Suzie Bates, who guided New Zealand to a 2-0 ODI series win and a 1-1 draw in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, will continue to lead the side on an interim basis. With a full-time captain yet to be appointed—likely delayed due to Amelia Kerr’s absence during the Sri Lanka series and their next T20 assignment scheduled for February 2026, as per the Future Tour Programme—Bates remains at the helm for now.
New Zealand has faced Australia in 52 T20Is, trailing 21-29 in head-to-head encounters, with one match tied and another ending in no result. Their last T20I win against Australia came in 2021, followed by six consecutive losses, including a defeat in their most recent bilateral series in September 2024 and their sole game during New Zealand’s title-winning 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
However, with youngsters Georgia Plimmer and Eden Carson steadily finding their footing in international cricket, along with the experienced trio of Suzie Bates, Brooke Halliday, and Maddy Green in top form, New Zealand will be eager to break their losing streak against Australia.
The return of Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr strengthens the batting lineup, with Kerr’s all-round abilities expected to play a crucial role in narrowing the head-to-head deficit. The return of pace spearhead Lea Tahuhu will bolster the bowling attack, complementing the rewarding form of Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr.
New Zealand’s T20I squad for Australia series –
Suzie Bates (C), Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu
New Zealand v Australia T20I series schedule –
1st T20I: 21 March – Eden Park, Auckland
2nd T20I: 23 March – Bay Oval, Tauranga
3rd T20I: 26 March – Sky Stadium, Wellington
*All games have a start time of 7:15 AM IST
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