Australia Women vs New Zealand Women 2026: T20I Schedule
Published on October 13, 2026
Summary Overview: Australia host New Zealand in three women's T20Is at North Sydney Oval on October 18, 20 and 22, 2026. Full schedule in local time, NZ, IST and ET, plus both squads.
World Champions vs a New-Look White Ferns: Molineux and Kerr Meet in Sydney
What is the series?
Three T20 Internationals between Australia and New Zealand, all at North Sydney Oval, on October 18, 20 and 22, 2026.
What time do the matches start?
7:15 PM in Sydney, which is 9:15 PM in New Zealand, 1:45 PM IST and 4:15 AM ET.
Who are the captains?
Sophie Molineux leads Australia, the reigning T20 world champions. Amelia Kerr captains New Zealand.
What is new for New Zealand?
Dean Brownlie takes charge as interim head coach, and four players are recalled, including spinner Eden Carson after elbow surgery.
The Story: Champions vs a White Ferns Side in Transition
Australia go into this series as the reigning Women's T20 World Cup champions, after winning the 2026 tournament in the UK. They warm up for the T20Is with three ODIs against Bangladesh in Brisbane.
New Zealand look very different from the side that won the 2024 T20 World Cup. Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu have retired, Suzie Bates has moved on, and head coach Ben Sawyer has left. Long-serving batting coach Dean Brownlie steps up as interim head coach.
Brownlie said he was excited to welcome back the four recalled players: Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Molly Penfold and Bella James.
For readers new to cricket: in a T20 International (T20I), each team bats for up to 20 overs (an over is six legal deliveries), and a match lasts about three hours. All three games are evening matches under lights.
Full Schedule (Local, New Zealand, IST and ET)
| \Match | Date | Venue | Local (AEDT) | New Zealand (NZDT) | PKT | IST | ET |
| 1st T20I | Sun, Oct 18 | North Sydney Oval, Sydney | 7:15 PM | 9:15 PM | 1:15 PM | 1:45 PM | 4:15 AM |
| 2nd T20I | Tue, Oct 20 | North Sydney Oval, Sydney | 7:15 PM | 9:15 PM | 1:15 PM | 1:45 PM | 4:15 AM |
| 3rd T20I | Thu, Oct 22 | North Sydney Oval, Sydney | 7:15 PM | 9:15 PM | 1:15 PM | 1:45 PM | 4:15 AM |
Local time is Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT, UTC+11). New Zealand is on NZ Daylight Time (UTC+13). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). ET is US Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). Every match starts on the same calendar date in all four zones. In Pakistan, matches start at 1:15 PM, and in the UK at 9:15 AM.
New Zealand also play a warm-up match against a Governor-General's XI on Thursday, October 15.
📄 Download the series schedule as a PDF to save or share.
Where to Watch
In New Zealand, every match is live on Sky Sport.
Squads
Australia
| Captain | Sophie Molineux |
| Squad | Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham |
Talking points:
- The same 14 players were picked for the Bangladesh ODIs and the New Zealand T20Is.
- Sophie Molineux is recovering from a hip injury, and staff will monitor how much she plays.
- Fast bowler Darcie Brown misses out with a back injury.
- Young quick Lucy Hamilton missed the ODIs with a quad strain but is in line for the T20Is.
New Zealand
| Captain | Amelia Kerr |
| Squad | Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp |
Talking points:
- Eden Carson returns from elbow surgery, and Molly Penfold, Hannah Rowe and Bella James are also recalled.
- Wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze is out after thumb surgery, so Polly Inglis takes the gloves.
- Carson, who has 51 caps, described her return to the squad as really special.
Players to Watch
Sophie Molineux (c): The left-arm spinner leads the world champions, though her workload will be managed after a hip injury.
Ellyse Perry: One of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the women's game.
Beth Mooney: A consistent run-scorer at the top of Australia's order.
Amelia Kerr (c): New Zealand's captain and best player, dangerous with both leg-spin and the bat.
Eden Carson: The off-spinner's return after surgery gives the White Ferns a key option in the middle overs.
Georgia Plimmer: A young top-order batter who will have more responsibility with so many senior players gone.
Stat Corner
| Stat / Parameter | Figure / Details |
| Series Format | 3 T20 International Matches |
| Venue | North Sydney Oval, Sydney |
| Match Timings | 7:15 PM (AEDT Local) | 9:15 PM (NZDT) | 1:15 PM (PKT) | 1:45 PM (IST) | 4:15 AM (ET) |
| Australia Squad | 14 players |
| New Zealand Squad | 15 players |
| New Zealand Recalls | 4 players (Eden Carson, Molly Penfold, Hannah Rowe, Bella James) |
| New Zealand Head Coach | Dean Brownlie (Interim) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Australia vs New Zealand women's T20I series start?
Sunday, October 18, 2026, at North Sydney Oval, at 7:15 PM local time (9:15 PM NZ, 1:45 PM IST, 4:15 AM ET).
Where are the matches being played?
All three T20Is are at North Sydney Oval in Sydney.
Who is New Zealand's captain?
Amelia Kerr, with Dean Brownlie as interim head coach.
Who is Australia's captain?
Sophie Molineux.
Why are some New Zealand stars missing?
Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu have retired, Suzie Bates has moved on, and wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze is recovering from thumb surgery.
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