The opening game of the New Zealand – Zimbabwe T20I series was a masterclass in clinical batting from the White Ferns, spearheaded by a blistering maiden T20I century from their captain, Amelia Kerr. Her unbeaten 101, combined with a steady 66* from Izzy Gaze, propelled New Zealand to a massive 202/1. Zimbabwe found the chase daunting from the start, losing two wickets in the first couple of overs. While Beloved Biza showed a lot of heart with a gritty 49* to help her side reach 110/4, the gulf in experience was evident as the hosts walked away with a comfortable 92-run victory.
Squads:
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team
Amelia Kerr, Flora Devonshire, 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:
Izzy Gaze
Izzy Gaze played a vital role in anchoring the innings, finishing with a solid 66 not out from 50 deliveries. She showed great composure at the crease, finding the boundary 6 times to keep the scoreboard ticking at a strike rate of 132.00. Her unbeaten half-century was key in building a massive total for New Zealand, proving she can be both a steady presence and a reliable finisher.
Beloved Biza
Beloved Biza was the standout performer for the Zimbabwe batting unit, fighting hard until the very last ball to remain unbeaten on 49. She faced 55 deliveries and managed to strike 5 fours, nearly reaching a well-deserved half-century against a tough bowling attack. While her strike rate was 89.09, her ability to hold one end together showed immense grit and promise for the rest of the tour.
Amelie Kerr
Amelie Kerr was absolutely clinical with the ball, leading the bowling attack with figures of 2 for 14 in her 4 overs. She maintained a tight grip on the Zimbabwe batters, conceding just 3.50 runs per over while picking up wickets at a strike rate of 12.00. It was a captain’s spell that combined discipline with a wicket-taking threat, making it incredibly difficult for the opposition to find any momentum.
Nyasha Gwanzura
Nyasha Gwanzura had a busy outing with the ball, finishing her 3-over spell with figures of 1 for 37. Despite facing an aggressive New Zealand batting lineup, she managed to break through and claim a wicket to provide her side with a much-needed breakthrough. While the economy was on the higher side at 12.33, her role in the bowling attack remains crucial as Zimbabwe looks to adjust to the local conditions.
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:
Expect a partly sunny day in Hamilton with a high of 23°C and a low of 14°C. There is a 35% chance of rain during the day and a light southwest wind at 8 mph.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Amelia Kerr, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Bree Illing, Jess Kerr, Georgia Plimmer, Nomvelo Sibanda, Beloved Biza, Christabel Chatonzwa, Nyasha Gwanzura, Loreen Tshuma
Match Details:
Date – February 27, 2025
Time – 11:45 AM IST
Venue – Seddon Park, Hamilton
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on FanCode and Sony Liv app and website.
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