The second T20I of the Australia Women’s tour of New Zealand 2025 is set to take place at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on March 23. With Australia already leading the three-match series 1-0, the visitors will be eager to continue their dominance and seal the series with another commanding performance. Meanwhile, the White Ferns will be desperate for a comeback to keep their hopes alive in the series.
In the opening match, Australia completely outclassed New Zealand in all departments, posting a formidable total and restricting the hosts comfortably. Their batting clicked as a unit, while the bowling attack kept the New Zealand lineup under pressure throughout the game.
For New Zealand, the loss was a wake-up call, highlighting areas that need urgent improvement, particularly in batting consistency and bowling discipline. The hosts will now aim to bounce back stronger and put up a competitive fight in Mount Maunganui.
Match Details: New Zealand Women vs Australia Women, 2nd T20I
📅 Date: March 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 02:45 PM Local / 07:15 AM IST / 01:45 AM GMT
🏟️ Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
With both teams eyeing a crucial victory, expect a high-intensity encounter at one of New Zealand’s most picturesque cricket venues.
Series Situation: Who Holds the Advantage?
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Australia’s Dominance: The visitors were in complete control in the first match, with their top order firing collectively, while their bowlers ensured New Zealand never got going.
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New Zealand’s Struggles: The White Ferns had a tough outing, struggling to handle the pressure and falling short with both bat and ball. They need to address their shortcomings quickly to force a series decider.
With Australia looking to wrap up the series 2-0, and New Zealand desperate to stay in the fight, the second T20I is set to be a thrilling contest.
Bay Oval Pitch Report: A Well-Balanced Surface
The Bay Oval pitch offers a fair battle between batters and bowlers, making for an exciting contest.
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Batting Conditions: The surface is generally good for stroke play, but batters need to assess conditions before going aggressive.
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Bowling Assistance: Seamers are expected to get early movement, making it crucial for batters to be cautious in the powerplay.
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Spin Factor: Spinners may not get significant turn, but they can still be effective with tight lines and variations.
🎯 Expected First-Innings Score: 140-160 (Par Score)
A well-paced innings could lead to a competitive total, but the chasing team might hold a slight advantage on this surface.
Key Players to Watch Out For
New Zealand Women (NZ-W)
🔹 Sophie Devine – The team’s most experienced campaigner, Devine’s performance with both bat and ball will be crucial in leading New Zealand’s fightback.
🔹 Amelia Kerr – A game-changer in the middle order, Kerr’s ability to anchor the innings and contribute with her leg-spin makes her a key player.
🔹 Suzie Bates – The veteran batter needs to provide a strong start, setting the foundation for a competitive total.
🔹 Lea Tahuhu – The pace spearhead will play a key role in providing early breakthroughs and keeping Australia’s batters under pressure.
Australia Women (AU-W)
🔹 Beth Mooney – One of the most consistent performers in T20 cricket, Mooney’s role at the top is vital for Australia’s batting dominance.
🔹 Ellyse Perry – A legend of the game, Perry’s all-round capabilities make her an indispensable asset for Australia.
🔹 Annabel Sutherland – One of the brightest young talents, Sutherland’s ability to contribute in both departments strengthens Australia’s lineup.
🔹 Megan Schutt – The experienced pacer has the ability to swing the ball early and restrict runs in the death overs, making her a key player for the visitors.
NZ-W vs AU-W Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Prediction
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, picking the right Dream11 team can be the difference between winning and losing. Here’s our top Dream11 lineup for the 2nd T20I:
Dream11 Team for NZ-W vs AU-W (March 23, 02:45 PM Local)
🏏 Wicketkeeper:
✅ Beth Mooney
🏏 Batters:
✅ Georgia Voll
✅ Ellyse Perry
✅ Suzie Bates
✅ Georgia Plimmer
🏏 All-Rounders:
✅ Sophie Devine
✅ Amelia Kerr
✅ Annabel Sutherland
✅ Tahlia McGrath
🏏 Bowlers:
✅ Megan Schutt
✅ Lea Tahuhu
🏆 Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:
✔ Choice 1: Amelia Kerr (C), Beth Mooney (VC)
✔ Choice 2: Sophie Devine (C), Annabel Sutherland (VC)
Dream11 Backups:
🔹 Phoebe Litchfield
🔹 Alana King
🔹 Brooke Halliday
🔹 Maddy Green
With a mix of experienced performers and emerging talents, this Dream11 team maximizes fantasy potential.
NZ-W vs AU-W: Squads for the 2nd T20I
📌 Australia Women’s Squad
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Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath (c), Grace Harris, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Kim Garth, Alana King, Nicole Faltum.
📌 New Zealand Women’s Squad
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Suzie Bates (c), Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Jess Kerr, Polly Inglis (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas, Bella James.
Who Holds the Edge in the 2nd T20I?
Key Factors Favoring Australia:
✅ Stronger batting depth with multiple match-winners.
✅ Dominant bowling attack that can exploit Mount Maunganui’s seam-friendly conditions.
✅ Winning momentum after a comprehensive victory in the first T20I.
Key Factors Favoring New Zealand:
✅ Home advantage at Bay Oval, where they are familiar with the conditions.
✅ A strong top order featuring experienced batters who can turn the game around.
✅ Amelia Kerr & Sophie Devine – if they fire, New Zealand has a strong chance.
Final Prediction: Will Australia Seal the Series or Will NZ Bounce Back?
Given Australia’s dominance in the first match, they enter as strong favorites. However, New Zealand is capable of staging a comeback if their top players deliver under pressure.
🔥 Prediction:
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Australia’s Strengths: Consistency, all-round depth, pace attack.
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New Zealand’s Hope: Strong middle order, experienced leadership.
If New Zealand improves their batting and bowling execution, they can push the Aussies to a series decider. However, Australia remains favorites to clinch a 2-0 series win.
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