Just days after drawing the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand now takes on Australia in a three-match T20I series, starting March 21. The series opener will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, and will get underway at 7:15 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
New Zealand women’s cricket team
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
Australia women’s cricket team
Tahlia McGrath (C), Ashleigh Gardner (VC), Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Players to watch out:
Melie Kerr
The 24-year-old leg-spinner, in T20Is, has accumulated 1,296 runs at a strike rate of 108.45 from 67 innings and bagged 93 wickets from 83 outings at an economy rate of 6.02. In a recent T20 competition, while Kerr struggled for runs, failing to get going, she finished as the leading wicket-taker with 18 scalps from 10 outings.
Jess Kerr
The 27-year-old pacer, from 37 T20I innings, has picked up 22 wickets at an economy rate of 6.34 and has also been handy with the bat on a few occasions. In her recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, Jess returned figures of 2/18 and 2/19, continuing her success from the domestic T20 competition, where she claimed 14 wickets and amassed 326 runs at a strike rate of 119.41.
Georgia Voll
The 21-year-old opening batter scored an unbeaten 46 on her One Day International (ODI) debut earlier this summer and followed it up with a century. In a recent T20 competition, although Voll departed for a duck on debut, she rebounded strongly with scores of 55 and 99*. She has been in fine form throughout the summer and can be trusted for the runs.
Alana King
The 29-year-old leg-spinner, from 25 T20Is, has claimed 24 wickets, including the best of 4/8, maintaining an economy rate of 6.41. Alana was a standout during their recent Ashes campaign, claiming 23 wickets from 8 innings, with T20I figures of 2/14, 0/21, and 1/17. In Australia’s ODI series against New Zealand late last year, she showcased her form by taking 3 wickets in a must win.
Pitch:
The 22-yard strip at Eden Park offers a balanced playing surface, catering to both batters and bowlers. While it favors batters, the average score in the 130s suggests that bowlers, particularly pacers, can find assistance.
Weather:
The temperature is expected to hover around 24°C, and with minimal chance of rain, we are set for a full game of cricket. The overhead conditions will be partly cloudy, with humidity at 74% and light winds.
Fantasy playing XI:
Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Georgia Plimmer, Melie Kerr, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Jess Kerr
Match details:
Date – March 21, 2025
Time – 7:15 AM IST
Venue – Eden Park, Auckland
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Prime Video, Sony LIV, and FanCode and telecast on Sony Sports.
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