The 2025 Women’s T20I series between Australia and New Zealand promises to be an exciting clash of cricketing titans. Set to commence on March 21, 2025, the series consists of three matches played across iconic venues in New Zealand: Eden Park in Auckland, Bay Oval in Tauranga, and Sky Stadium in Wellington. With the stakes high and both teams eager to assert their dominance, this series will not only serve as a thrilling competition but also as a crucial preparatory ground for the upcoming World Cup.
In a significant turn of events, Australia will be led by Tahlia McGrath due to the absence of regular skipper Alyssa Healy, who is currently recuperating from a foot injury. McGrath’s leadership will be pivotal as she guides a squad filled with both seasoned players and emerging talents. The Australian lineup boasts a formidable mix of experience and youth, featuring key players such as Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, and Ashleigh Gardner.
Australia’s top-choice playing XI for the T20I series against New Zealand includes:
- Beth Mooney - Opener and wicketkeeper: One of the most consistent batters in women’s cricket, known for her ability to anchor innings and accelerate when required.
- Georgia Voll - Opener: An emerging talent who has shown promise in international cricket.
- Tahlia McGrath - All-rounder and captain: Her all-round abilities allow her to contribute significantly with both bat and ball.
- Ellyse Perry - All-rounder: Brings unparalleled experience, stabilizing the middle order while providing effective medium-pace bowling.
- Ashleigh Gardner - All-rounder: Her explosive batting and reliable off-spin bowling make her a dynamic player who can change games.
- Phoebe Litchfield - Batter: A young talent who has impressed with her mature innings in key situations.
- Grace Harris - Batter: Known for her aggressive batting style, ideal for finishing innings.
- Annabel Sutherland - All-rounder: A promising bowler who delivers crucial overs during matches.
- Megan Schutt - Bowler: Experienced and renowned for taking early wickets.
- Alana King - Bowler: The go-to spinner providing control during middle overs.
- Darcie Brown - Bowler: Young fast bowler expected to lead the pace attack alongside Schutt.
This series marks an essential opportunity for both teams as they prepare for future competitions. Australia enters this series after a successful Ashes campaign where they achieved a clean sweep against England. Conversely, New Zealand, captained by Suzi Bates, recently faced Sri Lanka in a closely contested series that ended in a draw.
Australia’s head coach Shelley Nitschke emphasizes the importance of this series in refining their strategies ahead of the next T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026, noting that every game is crucial for team development and cohesion. McGrath echoed these sentiments as she pointed out, “We want to play some really good cricket and come away with, ideally, a 3-0 series win against the world champs.”
As Australia prepares for this series, McGrath has encouraged her team to play with freedom and aggression. “We’re always talking about how we can get better, and that there is no limit to our game,” she said, reflecting on the previous matches with New Zealand. “We expect a really hard-fought contest, hopefully a nice crowd being double-headers.”
With a focus on team dynamics, McGrath continues to lead with a philosophy that encourages players to showcase their talent without fear. She stated, “We bat so deep that we can showcase our talent, playing with no fear, knowing that if it doesn't come off, there's someone ready to walk out to do the job.”
Excitement surrounds this series, particularly for Beth Mooney, who is set to play her 200th international match for Australia. McGrath praised, “Crazy milestone for Moons… She's the ultimate consistent performer and always looking out for her teammates.”
All matches will start at 1:45 am GMT, 7:15 am IST, and 2:45 pm local time, with broadcasts available through various networks including Fox Cricket and ESPN+. The three-match schedule is as follows:
- 1st T20I: March 21, 2025, at Eden Park, Auckland.
- 2nd T20I: March 23, 2025, at Bay Oval, Tauranga.
- 3rd T20I: March 26, 2025, at Sky Stadium, Wellington.
As both teams look ahead to the T20 World Cup, this series serves as a vital platform for highlighting emerging talents and setting the stage for intense competition in women’s cricket.
