Women’s cricket has seen growth in the last decade. It was once a sport that very few ladies used, but today, it is spreading very fast. The history of the game has been one of the key reasons that has facilitated its growth. The international leagues provide the players with exposure and recognition, which is very beneficial for their game. Therefore, the development of women’s games has seen a major transformation.
There are new rivalries between teams such as the Australia Women and New Zealand Women. Some of the most exciting sports matches have been the women’s cricket matches between the Australian team and the New Zealand team.
In fact, both Australia and New Zealand have produced many great woman players over the years. This is a friendly match, but these games, Australia vs New Zealand, are enthralling, and both teams have loyal fans.
Modern women’s cricket tournaments include the Women’s Big Bash League and Women’s Indian Premier League, bringing the game to even greater heights moving it closer towards full equality with the men’s events.
The brands are now focusing on the build-up of female players, promotion of fans’ excitement, and popularity of competitive Women’s cricket matches like Australia Women and New Zealand Women.
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women Head-to-Head Records
Having a long and quite grim history of rivalry, New Zealand and Australia have had quite a few amazing moments. Even though they have been sworn enemies for too long, there is a considerable number of incredible moments to be listed.
Therefore, one of the most amazing finals in the history of women’s cricket can be observed in the Women’s World Cup final in 2010. Moreover, the 2017 T20 series is impossible to forget, where New Zealand won the match convincingly. Sophis Devine, the all-rounder, picked up 77 runs and grabbed several wickets in that final.
Format | Matches Played | Australia Wins | New Zealand Wins | Tied | No Result |
WODIs | 133 | 100 | 31 | 0 | 2 |
WT20I | 51 | 28 | 21 | 1 | 1 |
Star Performers, Key Matches, and the Role of Local Leagues
The three prominent representatives of the Australian team are Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry, and Alyssa Healy, who were to bring their team Australia’s stunning fifth World Cup victory. Lanning was firepower, Perry was the prototype of an excellent all-rounder, and Healy was a brutal batter in the opening position.
As for New Zealand, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Amelia Kerr were their material force. Bates played exceptionally in the top order, and Devine managed to get Australia defeated single-handedly at least a couple of times.
Most Runs in WODIs
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average |
Meg Lanning (AUS) | 24 | 24 | 1196 | 127 | 59.80 |
Suzie Bates (NZ) | 45 | 45 | 1055 | 77 | 24.53 |
Alyssa Healy (AUS) | 22 | 22 | 555 | 87 | 30.83 |
Australia Women vs New Zealand Women: Key Performances, Best Bowling, Partnerships, and More
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women is the most extreme cricket rivalry. There are many sights to witness in this battle, and counting up all the incredible moments in these games is difficult.
Whether it was an extraordinary bowling spell, record-breaking partnership, or match-winning innings, several key moments and matches stand out above all others.
Best Bowling Performances in Australia Women vs New Zealand Women
Historically, bowling has played a significant role in determining the outcomes of the clash of the two teams. The following is the list of the best bowling performances.
Player | Team | Best Bowling | Wickets | Match Date | Venue |
Megan Schutt (AUS) | Australia | 5/10 | 5 | Feb 11, 2023 | Paarl |
Sophie Devine (NZ) | New Zealand | 4/26 | 4 | Mar 30, 2021 | Napier |
Ellyse Perry (AUS) | Australia | 4/21 | 4 | Feb 17, 2017 | Melbourne |
Leigh Kasperek (NZ) | New Zealand | 4/7 | 4 | Mar 20, 2019 | Wellington |
Megan Schutt’s spell in 2023 was with accuracy and swing. It devastated New Zealand’s batting lineup in the match with 5 wickets for 10 runs, and Australia had a comfortable victory.
Most Sixes in Australia Women vs New Zealand Women
Power-hitting is an essential feature of the modern T20 game. The two teams have players to clear the boundary with ease. The players of Australia and New Zealand who have hit the most number of sixes in WT20Is are as follows:
Player | Team | Matches | Innings | Sixes | Runs | Strike Rate |
Sophie Devine (NZ) | New Zealand | 31 | 29 | 12 | 516 | 106.61 |
Meg Lanning (AUS) | Australia | 33 | 32 | 7 | 663 | 106.59 |
Alyssa Healy (AUS) | Australia | 38 | 37 | 4 | 603 | 115.51 |
Suzie Bates (NZ) | New Zealand | 45 | 45 | 7 | 1055 | 101.34 |
Sophie Devine is at the top of the six charts. She had struck 12 sixes and can change the game in a few balls. Meg Lanning and Suzie Bates are the other heavyweights who have been present on the list.
List of Captains for Australian Women vs New Zealand Women
Cricket is a game of leadership, especially when it gears to a close contest. Australia and New Zealand have a history of some excellent captains in their WT20Is. Some of the captains are listed below that have played a vital role in the two cricketing nations:
Captain | Team | Matches Captained | Wins | Losses | Win % |
Meg Lanning (AUS) | Australia | 39 | 31 | 8 | 79.48 |
Suzie Bates (NZ) | New Zealand | 32 | 14 | 18 | 43.75 |
Sophie Devine (NZ) | New Zealand | 15 | 7 | 8 | 46.67 |
Alyssa Healy (AUS) | Australia | 10 | 7 | 3 | 70.00 |
Meg Lanning has won almost 80% of her matches. Australia has always benefitted under Meg’s captaincy and has consistently overshadowed her opponents, including New Zealand.
Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine have been leading the New Zealand team, but neither captain has tasted many wins against Australia; hence, the percentage of winning matches is lower.
Highest Partnerships in Australian Women vs New Zealand Women
Building strong partnerships is vital to success in any format where teams aim to post competitive scores quickly. Australia and New Zealand have seen remarkable partnerships that have rescued or propelled their innings. Here are the highest partnerships by runs in WT20Is between these two teams:
Partners | Wicket | Team | Runs | Ground | Match Date |
Meg Lanning, Rachael Haynes | 5th | Australia | 119* | North Sydney | Sep 29, 2018 |
Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates | 2nd | New Zealand | 118* | Taunton | Jun 12, 2009 |
Elyse Villani, Meg Lanning | 3rd | Australia | 110 | Melbourne | Feb 17, 2017 |
Liz Perry, Suzie Bates | 1st | New Zealand | 101 | Melbourne | Jan 24, 2013 |
Key Players in the Australia vs New Zealand Women’s Cricket Rivalry
Many outstanding players have characterized the battle between Australia Women and New Zealand Women. For Australia, it is evident that Meg Lanning has been incredible all the time. She can anchor the innings and build solid partnerships, making her one of the top performers.
Her all-round capability, both in batting and bowling, can be beneficial in more than one way for Ellyse Perry. Another player from Australia is Alyssa Healy, who specializes in powerplays and can set the tone for any particular game.
She will even take the pressure off other batters since she is very attacking; at the end of it all, one feels that she is fairly destructive.
Sophie Devine is a top performer and a good player for New Zealand. She is an explosive all-rounder who is always in contention to change the games with both her bat and balls due to excellent form.
The other player, Suzie Bate, is also good for New Zealand since she is terrific at the top order; however, she can even change her tone and become dangerous for all bowlers. Apart from these outstanding players is Leigh Kasperek, who has been fantastic for New Zealand.
Picking crucial wickets for Australia has been her specialty, even though she can still use different tricks from her sleeves to surprise them. These players have been very instrumental in many of the competitive games between these two teams.
Australia Women vs. New Zealand Women is one of the most interesting and exciting oppositions in women’s cricket. Some of the new shining stars marked in the rivalry are Tahlia McGrath, Amelia Kerr, and Ashleigh Gardner, and they are destined to become future sensations.
Every time these two teams face off, we witness beautiful displays of skills, records, and new standards from players.
Key Matches in the Rivalry
There have been several close matches, like the one that featured the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup stands out, though, as Australia won the thriller by just 5 wickets.
Last 5 Matches Overview
Match Date | Ground | Winner | Margin | Key Performers |
Mar 13, 2022 | Wellington | AUS | 141 runs | Meg Lanning – 105 |
Apr 10, 2021 | Mount Maunganui | AUS | 21 runs | Alyssa Healy – 85 |
Apr 7, 2021 | Mount Maunganui | AUS | 71 runs | Ellyse Perry – 4/29 |
Apr 4, 2021 | Mount Maunganui | AUS | 6 wickets | Ashleigh Gardner – 70 |
Oct 7, 2020 | Brisbane | AUS | 232 runs | Beth Mooney – 120 |
Another memorable match occurred last year during the WODI series in Brisbane. Australia won comfortably, recording a 232-run win. It became the biggest win in the history of the two meetings, and the result definitively showcased who was the better.
The Role of Local Leagues
For Australia, the introduction of WBBL helped in nurturing their young talents. Youngsters such as Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham feel more comfortable on the biggest stages because they can play and learn from the best in the world.
Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates also had experience in WBBL, increasing their comfort on the big stages. The leagues have been instrumental in showcasing the need for these local leagues for the players.
It is no secret that women’s cricket is expanding, and playing each other professionally is helping the game grow. The popularity of the players is through the roof, with higher attendance, TV viewership, and better contracts for the players.
The increased exposure to women’s cricket comes with the news that it has been included in two significant international events, the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.
The Role of Young Talent
Although the senior players on either side were approaching the end of their careers, the future looked promising for the next generation of cricketers in New Zealand and Australia.
Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux played for Australia with as big an impact as any other member of the national side.
However, they were still comparatively young, and players with equal abilities in New Zealand already made a name for themselves. Amelia Kerr’s emerging skill sets are to be acknowledged, with her leg-spin cutters completely confusing batters.
Future Stars to Watch
Player | Team | Age | Role | Notable Achievement |
Georgia Wareham | Australia | 22 | All-rounder | 3/25 vs New Zealand |
Sophie Molineux | Australia | 21 | Bowler | 4/25 vs West Indies |
Amelia Kerr | New Zealand | 23 | Leg-spinner | Youngest cricketer to take 5 wickets in WODI |
Women’s cricket must keep evolving forward, with Australia Women vs New Zealand Women currently being the most entertaining clashes.
More rivalries and global tournaments, as well as properly equipped and well–staffed training centers, will be instrumental in ensuring their role is at the highest level.
Conclusion
Australia and New Zealand boast one of the most exciting female cricket rivalries. Even though Australia is the leader in the majority of the matches. New Zealand succeeded in turning each of them into an everlasting impression.
Cricket is part of the 2028 Olympics; it has also qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It will further help increase the reputation of players as they look to get an international, more comprehensive range of recognition.
Indeed, this rivalry must be attributed to some of the brightest and most unforgettable events. As Australian and New Zealand women’s cricket teams are growing.
Therefore, the rivalry is expected to become even more engaging as they become more involved in the competition.
Watching two teams struggle to win the championship title and stand out as the leader in cricket is the most exciting part of the game.
As far as the two teams’ futures are so determined, the two young talents are so eager to take the place of their famous and legendary predecessors.
This is what makes the Australia Women vs New Zealand Women cricket match rivalry so special. There is no doubt that there will be a whole series of equally exciting games from these two teams in the future.
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