Australia and New Zealand women's cricket teams are set to kick off their highly anticipated ODI series with the first match scheduled for December 19, 2024, at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington. This meeting is particularly significant as it marks the first ODI contest between these two teams since March 2022.
The New Zealand women’s team, known as the White Ferns, enters the series having faced heavy defeats against India and England, and they aim to end their 13-match losing streak against their Australian counterparts. Sophie Devine, captain of New Zealand, expressed the need to perform at their best to reclaim the series, stating, "It's well overdue [beaten Australia], but we know the challenge we're up against and have to be at our best." Devine's words resonate particularly as the New Zealand squad will be playing at home for the first time since their victory at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Despite the recent success with the World Cup win, the White Ferns have struggled against Australia for several years. New Zealand has not won against Australia in ODIs since 2017, and their performance history against the Australians adds pressure as they aim to assert dominance with home-game advantage.
Leading New Zealand's charge are top performers like Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday, who have been expected to sustain their strong batting form. Meanwhile, sisters Jess and Amelia Kerr are noteworthy bowlers, hoping to make significant impacts on the game.
On the other hand, the Australian women's cricket team boasts the title of ODI world champions and arrives at Wellington with considerable momentum. Having just completed a 3-0 whitewash against India at home, Australia extends their unbeaten streak to seven matches. Significant contributions from players like Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, and the all-rounder Annabel Sutherland will play important roles. Australia has also triumphed in 9 out of their 10 ODIs this year and won 15 out of their last 16 games overall.
"We've been transitioning for a little longer, getting some youth in the side," said Alyssa Healy, who's still recovering from injury and will be taking on the role of batter rather than wicketkeeper for this series. Healy has been sidelined but is eager to find runs, noting this is key preparation for the upcoming Ashes series next January. Her absence had previously opened avenues for Georgia Voll, who performed admirably with scores of 46 not out, 101, and 26 during her debut series against India.
The first ODI clash is scheduled to start at 03:30 AM IST and promises to draw significant viewership. Fans can catch the live broadcast on numerous platforms. For Indian audiences, the match will be available on Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLIV app. Fans tuning in from New Zealand can watch the game on Sky Sports and TVNZ+, and those from Australia can find the coverage on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports.
With weather conditions expected to be poor initially but improving for subsequent matches, the anticipation is high for the series opener. 4000 spectators are expected at the Basin Reserve, eager to support their teams. New Zealand’s captain, Devine, underscored the importance of the series, saying, "This is our first opportunity to play back up at home as T20 world champions…so now we just need the Wellington weather gods to play ball as well."
The stakes for both teams could not be higher. New Zealand’s current standing is precarious as they vie for direct qualification for the next ODI World Cup, with this series being their last opportunity to secure valuable points from the Women's Championship. The pressure to finally break their losing streak against Australia and the certification of their route to the World Cup adds layers of intensity to what is already expected to be an electric match.
With the series reflecting the dynamic shift of power and competition within women's cricket, the upcoming game promises to be thrilling, filled with ambition, rivalry, and the chance for both teams to make their mark. The intensity and stakes of this matchup not only set the stage for the remaining two ODIs but also frame the larger narrative of women's cricket as it continues to grow on the global stage.
