Australia Women convincingly triumphed over New Zealand Women by eight wickets in the first T20I of their series, played at Eden Park, Auckland, on March 21, 2025. The match culminated in a stellar performance by Beth Mooney, who scored an unbeaten 75, celebrating her 200th international appearance in style.
Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first, setting a challenging target of 138 runs for the Australians. Despite their efforts, New Zealand finished with a total of 137 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. They owed much of this to Amelia Kerr, who notched an impressive 51 runs from 46 balls, and Sophie Devine, who contributed a quick 39 runs off just 36 deliveries, forming an unbeaten 90-run partnership that bolstered their innings.
The White Ferns started strong, with Suzie Bates racing away with three boundaries in the opening overs. Bates scored 14 runs before being dismissed, while Georgia Plimmer managed a respectable 27 off 24. However, the Australian bowlers tightened their grip in the middle overs, restricting New Zealand's run flow.
As New Zealand's innings progressed, Kerr and Devine's partnership proved crucial in pushing the total towards a defendable score. Nonetheless, the Australian attack, spearheaded by Tahlia McGrath and Darcie Brown, took timely wickets to stifle New Zealand's momentum. Brown ended the match with figures of 1 for 22 in her four overs.
Australia's response was aggressive from the outset, with Mooney and Georgia Voll leading the charge. The pair quickly established themselves at the crease, with Mooney's outstanding performance earning her a crucial place in the match. Voll managed to add 50 runs off 31 balls, providing an explosive start that set Australia on the path to victory.
Ashleigh Gardner's injury sparked concern within the Australian camp when she was struck on the finger while attempting a catch off Sophie Devine's powerful shot. Gardner was subsequently sent for scans, and her absence loomed over the team as they chased down New Zealand's total, although they managed to secure a comfortable victory without her services.
While Voll was dismissed, Mooney remained undeterred, reaching her milestone by finishing the game with 75 runs off 42 balls, sealing the victory with a skilled display of batting. The match ended with 39 balls to spare, showcasing Australia's dominance against New Zealand.
This victory not only provided Australia with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series but also served as a stark reminder of their prowess following their previous T20 World Cup semi-final exit. Mooney, often an underrated member of the Australian squad, proved her value once again with a match-winning performance.
New Zealand, the reigning T20 world champions, now face a crucial challenge as they prepare for the second T20I on March 23 at Bay Oval. Just three days away, the team will need to regroup and make tactical adjustments to counter Australia’s powerful batting after the heavy loss.
As both teams head to Tauranga, all eyes will remain on Gardner's fitness and whether she will be able to return to the squad. The stakes are high as New Zealand seeks to bounce back and assert their status on home turf while Australia aims to maintain their winning momentum.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches, which promise to deliver high-octane cricket as the series unfolds. Viewers can catch the excitement live on various streaming platforms.
