PREVIEW | Australia vs New Zealand T20 – W
THE senior Australian international cricket summer kicks off today in the sunny skies of Mackay, with Australia and New Zealand kicking off a three match T20 series.
This series is crucial preparation for both sides ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup. As such, both countries are sending their World Cup squads to this series, with the Aussies having an extra face that will not be going to the World Cup in Heather Graham.
It is a big time for the Australian side. After Meg Lanning retired in the back end of last year, this World Cup will be the first without her, but one characteristic of this Australian side is stability, and they have proven in the 10 months or so since her retirement that the winning ways can continue without her.
Led by Alyssa Healy once again, Beth Mooney, Grace Harris and Phoebe Litchfield are going to be ones to watch with bat in hand, as will Ellyse Perry and Ash Gardner with ball in hand and Annabel Sutherland and Tahlia McGrath with both in hand.
Meanwhile for New Zealand, they will be looking to go much better at the World Cup than they did last time around, and playing the reigning champions in a warm up series is the perfect start.
Led by Sophie Devine once again, New Zealand will be looking to her and fellow leader Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr to really lead this side.
Although this side is a lot younger than World Cup squads of the past, but Izzy Gaze is the only one with no T20 World Cup experience.
Rosemary Mair also returns to the side after injuring her back earlier this year.
Australia vs New Zealand Squads
Australia
Alyssa Healy (c)
Tahlia McGrath (vc)
Darcie Brown
Ashleigh Gardner
Kim Garth
Heather Graham
Grace Harris
Alana King
Phoebe Litchfield
Sophie Molineux
Beth Mooney
Ellyse Perry
Megan Schutt
Annabel Sutherland
Georgia Wareham
Tayla Vlaeminck
New Zealand
Sophie Devine (C)
Suzie Bates
Eden Carson
Izzy Gaze
Maddy Green
Brooke Halliday
Fran Jonas
Leigh Kasperek
Amelia Kerr
Jess Kerr
Rosemary Mair
Molly Penfold
Georgia Plimmer
Hannah Rowe
Lea Tahuhu
Australia vs New Zealand Fixture
September 19, 7:10pm AEST at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
September 22, 7:10pm AEST at Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay
September 19, 7:10pm AEST at Allan Border Field, Brisbane