Australia Women return to international cricket for the first time since winning the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, beating England by 7 wickets in the final at Lord's on 5 July for their seventh T20 world title. Their first T20 opponents of the home summer are New Zealand, the 2024 world champions, in three T20Is at North Sydney Oval on 18, 20 and 22 October 2026.
Both sides are using the series to prepare for the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy in India in February 2027, and it finishes a week before WBBL|12 begins on 29 October. CricketDream has all three matches live now: build a free Fantasy XI, run a snake draft with friends or set up a predictor game for any of them.
AUS-W vs NZ-W T20I series 2026: full schedule and timings
The tour has a second leg: three ODIs in March 2027. This guide covers the October T20Is only. Before the T20Is, Australia play three ODIs against Bangladesh at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on 9, 11 and 14 October.
Australia Women T20I squad: Sophie Molineux (c)
Cricket Australia named a 14-player squad on 30 September. Sophie Molineux captains, with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath as vice-captains. Molineux is managing a hip injury and selectors said her involvement will be assessed over the coming days, so check the confirmed XI before you lock her in. Lucy Hamilton picked up a mild quad strain and is in the T20I squad only. Darcie Brown is unavailable with a back injury, and Grace Harris missed out on a smaller T20 squad.
New Zealand Women T20I squad: Amelia Kerr (c)
Amelia (Melie) Kerr captains a White Ferns side in transition after the international retirements of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu. Four players return: off-spinner Eden Carson, back from elbow surgery after missing international cricket since December, seamers Molly Penfold and Hannah Rowe, and batter Bella James. Regular keeper Izzy Gaze is out after thumb surgery, so Polly Inglis takes the gloves. Dean Brownlie is interim head coach after Ben Sawyer's departure.
How both teams went at the 2026 T20 World Cup
Australia went through the tournament in England unbeaten, winning all seven of their matches including the final. Beth Mooney was Player of the Match at Lord's with 64 not out. New Zealand had a tougher time: wins over Ireland and Scotland but defeats to West Indies, Sri Lanka and England, and they did not reach the knockouts. That gap, plus home conditions, makes Australia clear favourites, but this is a new-look New Zealand side with little recent form to go on.
Best fantasy picks for AUS-W vs NZ-W
The figures below are CricketDream fantasy points from the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is the most recent T20I form for both sides.
- Amelia Kerr (NZ-W, AR): the highest per-match average of anyone in the series. She opens or bats in the top order, bowls four overs of leg-spin and captains. The best single captaincy pick, especially with so much of New Zealand's experience gone.
- Beth Mooney (AUS-W, WK): opens the batting and was Player of the Match in the World Cup final. The obvious wicketkeeper pick ahead of Polly Inglis.
- Ellyse Perry (AUS-W, AR): two Player of the Match awards at the World Cup and bats in the top four. A safe vice-captain.
- Georgia Wareham (AUS-W, AR): the top fantasy scorer in this squad at the World Cup. Her leg-spin takes wickets in the middle overs and she adds lower-order runs.
- Sophie Molineux (AUS-W, AR): took key wickets throughout the World Cup, including 2/6 against Pakistan, but only pick her once the hip injury has cleared and she is in the confirmed XI.
- Ashleigh Gardner (AUS-W, AR): bats in the top six and bowls a full spell of off-spin. A strong all-round pick most fantasy players will own.
- Differential: Eden Carson (NZ-W, BOWL) returns from surgery as New Zealand's frontline off-spinner and should bowl four overs every game at a low ownership.
North Sydney Oval is one of the smaller grounds in Australian cricket, with short square boundaries, so runs tend to come quickly. Load up on top-order batters and allrounders who bat high, and back spinners who bowl four overs rather than part-timers. All three matches start at 7:15 PM local time, so check the toss and the confirmed XIs on the match page before the team lock.
Suggested Fantasy XI for the 1st T20I
- Wicketkeeper: Beth Mooney
- Batters: Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Izzy Sharp
- Allrounders: Amelia Kerr (C), Ellyse Perry (VC), Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
- Bowlers: Megan Schutt, Eden Carson
- Swap Molineux in for Sutherland or Schutt if she is fit and named in the XI.
AUS-W vs NZ-W prediction
Australia are the reigning world champions, playing at home, against a New Zealand side missing three long-time senior players. Australia should be strong favourites to win the series, most likely 3-0 or 2-1. New Zealand's best chance is Amelia Kerr having a big all-round game and their spinners keeping it tight on a small ground. Back your own call in a free CricketDream Predictor game before each match.
Play free on CricketDream
Every CricketDream game is free, with no entry fee and no prize pool. Pick 11 players within the credit budget, choose a captain (2x points) and vice-captain (1.5x points), and your score updates live during the match. Then keep playing into WBBL|12, where most of these players line up for their clubs from 29 October.
Build your free Fantasy XI for the Australia Women vs New Zealand Women 1st T20I.
Build Fantasy XIFrequently asked questions
When is the Australia Women vs New Zealand Women T20I series in 2026?
The three T20Is are on Sunday 18 October, Tuesday 20 October and Thursday 22 October 2026. All three start at 7:15 PM AEDT, which is 1:45 PM IST.
Where are the AUS-W vs NZ-W T20Is being played?
All three matches are at North Sydney Oval in Sydney, a small ground that is also a WBBL home venue for the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.
Who is captaining Australia and New Zealand?
Sophie Molineux captains Australia, with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath as vice-captains. Amelia Kerr captains New Zealand.
Is Sophie Molineux fit for the series?
Molineux is in the squad but is managing a hip injury. Selectors said her involvement would be assessed closer to the matches. Check the confirmed XI on each CricketDream match page before you pick her.
Who won the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup?
Australia won, beating England by 7 wickets in the final at Lord's on 5 July 2026. Beth Mooney was Player of the Match with 64 not out. It was Australia's seventh Women's T20 World Cup title.
Who is the best captain pick for AUS-W vs NZ-W fantasy?
Amelia Kerr had the highest average of anyone in this series at the 2026 T20 World Cup (79.2 CricketDream points per match) because she contributes with both bat and ball. Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry are the safest Australian options.
Why are Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates not in New Zealand's squad?
Both have retired from international cricket, along with fast bowler Lea Tahuhu. Wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze is also out after thumb surgery, so Polly Inglis keeps wicket.
Are the ODIs in this series?
The tour also includes three ODIs, but those are in March 2027. Only the three October T20Is are live on CricketDream right now.
Is CricketDream fantasy free to play?
Yes. Fantasy XI, Draft, Multi-Draft, Predictor, Cricket Quiz and CricketQuest are all completely free, with no entry fees and no cash prizes. It is skill-based cricket for fun and bragging rights with friends.
Where can I watch Australia Women vs New Zealand Women?
In Australia, all matches are live on Seven, 7Plus, Kayo Sports and Foxtel. CricketDream is not a broadcaster: follow live scores, playing XIs and fantasy points on each match page.