With the series already in their grasp, Australia will step into the final T20I aiming for a clean sweep, while hosts New Zealand will fight to salvage pride and avoid a whitewash. The reigning T20 World Champions will look to end the series on a high note in front of their home crowd.
The third and final T20I of the series is set to take place at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on March 26th, starting 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), Charli Knott, 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:
Sophie Devine
Returning from a well-earned break, Devine has looked solid with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 39 in her comeback match. She also made an impact with the ball, dismissing Georgia Voll in the second T20I. A veteran of 145 T20Is, she has amassed 3,430 runs, including the best of 105, while also scalping 118 wickets with the best of 4/22.
Lea Tahuhu
Back in action after an injury layoff, the experienced pacer picked up 2/31 in the opening game but went wicketless (0/25) in the second. With 98 T20I appearances, she has claimed 95 wickets, boasting the best of 4/6, alongside 247 runs with the bat.
Grace Harris
Though yet to bat in this series, Harris remains a dangerous middle-order batter. With 53 T20Is under her belt, she has smashed 577 runs at a blistering strike rate of 155.52, with the highest score of 64*. She has also chipped in with 9 wickets.
Annabel Sutherland
After a quiet first match (0/21), Sutherland made her mark in the second T20I, producing a sensational 4/8 spell while also scoring 23*. In her 44 T20I career, she has accumulated 180 runs and bagged 36 wickets, making her a vital all-rounder for Australia.
Pitch:
The surface at Sky Stadium offers a fair contest between bat and ball. While it leans towards batters, with an average score of 117, pacers can extract assistance, making it a venue where balance is key.
Weather:
The conditions in Wellington are expected to be pleasant, with temperatures hovering around 19°C. With minimal chances of rain, a complete game is likely. The humidity level is set at 80%, while the wind speed is expected to be around 26 kph under partly cloudy skies.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Suzie Bates, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Sophie Devine, Melie Kerr, Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, Megan Schutt, Alana King
Match details:
Date – March 26, 2025
Time – 7:15 AM IST
Venue – Sky Stadium, Wellington
Broadcast – The match will be live-streamed on Prime Video, Sony LIV, and FanCode, with telecast available on Sony Sports.
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