AUS W vs NZ W 2026: Australia Win Series 2-0, 3rd T20I Preview
Published on October 21, 2026
Summary Overview: Australia Women have sealed the T20I series against New Zealand 2-0 after wins by 2 wickets and 40 runs at North Sydney Oval. Can they complete a 3-0 whitewash on Thursday? Results, preview and times.
Who has won the series? Australia, who lead 2-0 with one game to play. They won the 1st T20I by 2 wickets and the 2nd by 40 runs.
Who were the Players of the Match? New Zealand's Georgia Plimmer in the 1st T20I, even though her team lost, and Australia's Ashleigh Gardner in the 2nd.
Will there be a whitewash? That is the question for Thursday's 3rd T20I. Australia can make it 3-0, while New Zealand are playing for pride after coming so close in the opener.
When is the 3rd T20I? Thursday, October 22 at North Sydney Oval, at 7:15 PM local time (1:45 PM IST, 1:15 PM PKT, 9:15 PM in New Zealand).
The Story: Champions Too Strong, But the White Ferns Fought
Australia came into this series as the reigning Women's T20 World Cup champions, and they have shown why. But New Zealand, with a new-look side and an interim coach in Dean Brownlie, have not made it easy.
For readers new to cricket: in a T20 International (T20I), each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries). A whitewash means one team wins every match in a series.
Match by Match
1st T20I (Sunday, October 18): Australia Win by 2 Wickets
New Zealand batted first and posted 162 for 2, losing only two wickets in their 20 overs. Australia's chase was far from smooth: they lost eight wickets before getting over the line on 165 for 8 with seven balls to spare.
Georgia Plimmer was named Player of the Match, a rare honour for a player on the losing side, which shows how big a part she played in New Zealand's innings.
2nd T20I (Tuesday, October 20): Australia Win by 40 Runs
Australia batted first this time and made 167 for 7. Their bowlers then held New Zealand to 127 for 8, a comfortable 40-run win that sealed the series. Ashleigh Gardner was Player of the Match.
Turning Point: Holding Their Nerve in the Opener
The series could easily have been level. At 8 wickets down in a chase of 163, Australia were one more wicket away from real danger in the 1st T20I. They found a way over the line, and with that pressure lifted, they were far more dominant in the 2nd T20I.
3rd T20I Preview: Whitewash or Consolation?
For Australia: a 3-0 sweep would be the perfect finish before the WBBL starts on October 29. With the series won, they may also give chances to players who have had less game time, and captain Sophie Molineux, who is managing a hip injury, could be looked after.
For New Zealand: the White Ferns showed in the opener that they can post a big score against the champions. Plimmer will be key again, alongside captain Amelia Kerr. A win would give Brownlie's young side a real lift.
| Match | Date | Venue | Local (AEDT) | New Zealand | IST | Pakistan | ET |
| 3rd T20I | Thu, Oct 22 | North Sydney Oval, Sydney | 7:15 PM | 9:15 PM | 1:45 PM | 1:15 PM | 4:15 AM |
Local time is Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT, UTC+11). New Zealand is on NZ Daylight Time (UTC+13). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). Pakistan is on PKT (UTC+5). ET is US Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). In the UK, the match starts at 9:15 AM (BST).
Players to Watch
Ashleigh Gardner: Player of the Match in the 2nd T20I and one of the world's best all-rounders.
Beth Mooney: Australia's reliable keeper-batter, a key figure in any chase.
Annabel Sutherland: Bats, bowls and fields at a world-class level.
Georgia Plimmer: Player of the Match in the opener, even in defeat.
Amelia Kerr (c): New Zealand's captain and leg-spinning all-rounder.
Eden Carson: Back from elbow surgery and a key spinner for the White Ferns.
Stat Corner
Series Results
| Match | Date | Result | Player of the Match |
| 1st T20I | Sun, Oct 18 | Australia won by 2 wickets (NZ 162/2, AUS 165/8 in 18.5 overs) | Georgia Plimmer (NZ) |
| 2nd T20I | Tue, Oct 20 | Australia won by 40 runs (AUS 167/7, NZ 127/8) | Ashleigh Gardner (AUS) |
| 3rd T20I | Thu, Oct 22 | Upcoming, 7:15 PM AEDT |
Series score: Australia 2, New Zealand 0 (one to play).
Series in Numbers
| Stat | Figure |
| Series result | Australia have won (2-0 up) |
| Closest game | 1st T20I, won by 2 wickets |
| Biggest win | 40 runs (2nd T20I) |
| Highest total | 167/7, Australia (2nd T20I) |
| New Zealand's best total | 162/2 (1st T20I) |
Squads
| Team | Squad |
| Australia | Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham |
| New Zealand | Amelia Kerr (c), Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Australia vs New Zealand women's T20I series 2026?
- Australia, who lead 2-0 with one match to play.
When is the 3rd T20I?
- Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 7:15 PM at North Sydney Oval (1:45 PM IST, 1:15 PM PKT, 9:15 PM NZ).
Who were the Players of the Match?
- Georgia Plimmer in the 1st T20I and Ashleigh Gardner in the 2nd.
Can Australia whitewash New Zealand?
- Yes. A win in the 3rd T20I would complete a 3-0 sweep.
What comes next for Australia's players?
- WBBL|12 starts on October 29.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Australia Women vs New Zealand Women T20I Series 2026: Schedule, Squads and Match Times
📋 T20 Spring Challenge 2026: Scorchers and Sixers Set Up the Final