This series marks the first-ever bilateral meeting between hosts New Zealand and Zimbabwe. The White Ferns enter this contest as a powerhouse looking to fine-tune their engine before their title defence at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, even with big names like Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates watching from the sidelines. For Zimbabwe, led by Mary-Anne Musonda, this is their long-awaited debut in the ICC Women’s Championship cycle. They’ve had a rough run lately, struggling against teams like Scotland and Thailand, so jumping into the deep end against a side of New Zealand’s caliber will be the ultimate test of their progress and character.
Squads:
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team
Amelia Kerr, Molly Penfold, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Kayley Knight, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp
Zimbabwe Women’s Cricket Team
Nomvelo Sibanda, Beloved Biza, Christabel Chatonzwa, Chiedza Dhururu, Nyasha Gwanzura, Tendai Makusha, Precious Marange, Audrey Mazvishaya, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Josephine Nkomo, Loryn Phiri, Loreen Tshuma, Adel Zimunu
Players to watch out:
Amelia Kerr
Amelia Kerr enters the series as one of the most prolific all-rounders in the world, having already amassed 1,453 runs in her T20I career at an average of 28.00. Her prowess is equally evident with the ball, where she has claimed 95 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 6.09 and a career-best performance of 4/20. As the newly appointed captain of White Ferns, her leadership and ability to dominate both departments will be central to New Zealand’s campaign.
Jess Kerr
Jess Kerr provides a vital edge to the New Zealand bowling attack with 23 T20I wickets and a solid economy of 6.66 over 41 matches. While primarily known for her right-arm medium pace and best figures of 2/13, she has also contributed 167 runs lower down the order, proving herself as a reliable all-rounder. Her experience in major tournaments like the 2024 T20 World Cup makes her a seasoned threat that Zimbabwe will need to handle carefully.
Kelis Ndhlovu
Zimbabwe’s rising star Kelis Ndhlovu brings a dynamic left-arm orthodox spin to the tour, having already taken 44 T20I wickets at an excellent average of 19.79. The young all-rounder is also a force with the bat, tallying 1147 runs with four half-centuries and a career-high score of 70*. Her reputation as a wicket-taker was solidified during the 2022 T20 World Cup Qualifier, and she remains a crucial match-winner for the visiting side.
Loreen Tshuma
Loreen Tshuma is a key pillar of the Zimbabwean bowling unit, boasting 47 career T20I wickets with a remarkable best of 4/11 against Rwanda. Across 49 matches, she has maintained a disciplined economy of 5.55, making her difficult for even top-tier batters to rotate strike against. In addition to her bowling, she has shown she can contribute useful runs, highlighted by a personal T20I best of 46 that underscores her capability as a genuine bowling all-rounder.
Pitch:
Seddon Park typically features a balanced surface that offers something for both batters and bowlers, with an average score of 136 in recent T20 matches. While the pitch generally favors pace and bounce early on, it remains a reliable track for stroke-makers due to its small boundaries and fast outfield.
Weather:
Hamilton will experience cloudy skies with a high of 25°C and a low of 14°C. There is a 10% chance of rain during the day and night, with a light 5 mph wind from the northeast.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Amelia Kerr, Maddy Green, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Izzy Sharp, Nomvelo Sibanda, Christabel Chatonzwa, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Kelis Ndhlovu, Loreen Tshuma
Match Details:
Date – February 25, 2026
Time – 11:45 AM IST
Venue – Seddon Park, Hamilton
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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