When and Where to Watch New Zealand Women vs Australia Women, Live Streaming, Match Preview, Timings, and Pitch Report for 3rd T20I

Their captain was under the weather and missing from the ranks, another player was injured to the extent of not being able to move properly, and they once again lost wickets at the worst possible time. Having gone in the second encounter of the series against Australia with a string of losses, neither of these things helped New Zealand’s stocks to improve. Although in a thrillingly inspirational performance, they trounced the visitors by four wickets in a last-ball finish to not only cease a prolonged drought of victories but also push the series into a decider.

After being put in, Australia Women were given a jolt inside the Powerplay overs as they lost Alyssa Healy to Jess Kerr cheaply. Even as Beth Mooney responded with a responsible, anchoring knock, it was the failed attempt of acceleration and the impressive discipline showed by New Zealand with the ball that hurt Australia’s chances to post anything too challenging for the hosts to gun down later.

The platform to fire away seemed laid after Mooney’s composed knock during her half-century alliance with Meg Lanning for the second wicket, although another partnership that desperately lacked momentum (49 from 46) between Mooney and Haynes left Australian bowlers with only 129 to defend.

Having opened the bowling for her team before returning with brilliant figures of 2/20, Mackay had a calf situation that did not allow her to run as freely as she would have otherwise as an opener. Struggling in the quest of finding momentum, Hayley Jensen departed to Ellyse Perry, whereas Nicola Carey removed skipper Amy Satterthwaite cheaply to push New Zealand into a corner.

A limping Mackay fought it with Amelia Kerr in the company, as the two added for the third wicket a brisk 54 (from 36) to keep themselves in the hunt. In for the rested Tayla Vlaeminck, Darcie Brown, on debut, removed Mackay for 46 against the run of play that slowed things down for New Zealand at the worst juncture. They underwent a collapse of sorts as Katey Martin perished to Georgia Wareham only an over before Megan Schutt struck twice to claim for Brooke Halliday and the well-set Kerr.

With 29 required from 18 to cross the line with two new batters – Hannah Rowe and Maddy Green – in, the target of 130 seemed much bigger than what it appeared at the start. But both Green and Rowe managed to ease the pressure as they managed to get boundaries that brought down the equation to nine required from the last over, which, after Carey’s spot-on last over, came down to three needed off the last ball.

The final delivery took Green’s bottom edge and went to the fence as New Zealand managed to drag themselves over the line. Such victories, at times, can be real shackle breakers. That they won against the best T20I side despite odds being entirely against them is New Zealand’s message that they have the ability to bounce back. Now only if they can do it once more…

Pitch and conditions

Eden Park is known for its freakish ground dimensions and has recorded quite a few high-scoring encounters. Bowlers’ margin for error will be dangerously low as is always the case at the venue, whereas for the batters, it is a paradise once they manage to get going. Out of the 23 T20Is at the venue, as many as 17 have recorded totals above 150 with even the average being 170. Auckland suits to chasers: 12-9 in 23 encounters.

Playing Combinations for NZ-W vs AUS-W

New Zealand Women

Predicted XI: Sophie Devine/Frankie Mackay, Hayley Jensen, Amy Satterthwaite (C), Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin (WK), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Frances Mackay Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair

Australia Women

Predicted XI: Alyssa Healy (WK), Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes, Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Nicola Carey, Georgia Wareham, Jess Jonassen, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck/ Darcie Brown

NZ-W vs AUS-W Head to Head

Played – 46 | AUS-W – 24 | NZ-W – 21 | Abandon/NR – 1

In New Zealand

Played – 13 | AUS-W – 4 | NZ-W – 8 | Abandon/NR – 1

NZ-W vs AUS-W Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 7:30 AM (IST)

Live Streaming – Fancode