Australia Secures 3-0 Sweep Over New Zealand

Australia’s T20 world champions completed a 3-0 series sweep over New Zealand with a tense run-chase in Brisbane, just before departing for Dubai to defend their title in the upcoming World Cup.

Chasing New Zealand’s total of 146-6, Australia secured victory with five wickets in hand and five balls to spare at Allan Border Field. Although they appeared to be cruising, a few late-game nerves made the finish closer than expected. This win followed earlier five-wicket and 29-run triumphs in Mackay. Both teams are set to fly to the UAE on Wednesday for next month’s Women’s T20 World Cup. Australia, having extended New Zealand's losing streak in the format to 10 games, will head to the tournament full of confidence.

Despite their loss, New Zealand showed some improvement with the bat. Opener Georgia Plimmer, scoring 53 off 48 balls, hit only the second six of the series for her side on her way to a maiden half-century. Amelia Kerr contributed 40 from 36 deliveries, putting together a solid 73-run partnership with Plimmer before Georgia Wareham's breakthrough (2-21) sparked a collapse, with New Zealand losing five wickets for 14 runs. Maddy Green added a quick 12 off five balls in the final over.

Australia’s chase started slowly, with Beth Mooney managing just six runs, capping off a rare underwhelming series for her. Alyssa Healy struggled to find a rhythm, scoring 27 off 29 balls. Wareham, promoted up the order, and injected momentum with a brisk 26 off 16 balls, striking four boundaries and lowering the required run rate to six an over. This move, which could be used again during the World Cup, kept Australia on track.

Ashleigh Gardner took control with a quick 33 off 26, taking 12 runs from Sophie Devine’s first over and placing Australia firmly in the driver’s seat. Ellyse Perry’s solid knock of 36 off 29 balls further steadied the chase. Perry and Gardner’s 61-run partnership brought Australia to within 10 runs of victory.

There were a few tense moments when both Gardner and Perry were dismissed in quick succession. However, after Fran Jonas dropped a simple catch, Phoebe Litchfield was given a reprieve, and Tahlia McGrath sealed the win with a boundary on the first ball of the final over.

Reflecting on the victory, Wareham stated, “Winning 3-0 shows where we’re at. We didn’t play our best but still got the job done, which is a positive sign heading into the World Cup. Batting up the order was fun, and I’m feeling good with the ball as well.”

For New Zealand, this series loss follows a 7-0 defeat to England in the T20 format. Despite the disappointing results, captain Sophie Devine found positives in the performances, saying, “We knew we were facing the world’s best team, but we’re moving in the right direction. In a World Cup, each game is a fresh start, and that’s where we thrive.”

Both teams now turn their focus to the T20 World Cup, where Australia will aim to defend their title, and New Zealand will seek redemption on the global stage.