AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20I Match Prediction: Who Will Win, Probable XIs, Pitch Report
Australia Women stand one win away from wrapping up the NRMA Insurance Women’s T20 Series (Rose Bowl) as they face New Zealand Women in the 2nd T20I at North Sydney Oval on Tuesday, October 20. The world champions held their nerve in the series opener, chasing down 163 with seven balls to spare to win by two wickets, and now lead the three-match series 1-0.
New Zealand, under interim head coach Dean Brownlie after parting ways with Ben Sawyer, brought a new-look, youthful squad to Australia and pushed the hosts all the way in the first game. Posting 162/2 in Sydney was a statement of intent from Amelia Kerr’s side — but it still was not enough. The White Ferns must win this second game to keep the series alive ahead of the final match at the same venue on October 22.
Australia Women vs New Zealand Women 2nd T20I Match Details and Timings
| Match | Australia Women vs New Zealand Women, 2nd T20I |
| Series | NRMA Insurance Women’s T20 Series (Rose Bowl), 3-match T20I series |
| Date | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
| Time | 1:45 PM IST (7:15 PM AEDT) |
| Venue | North Sydney Oval, Sydney |
| Series score | Australia lead 1-0 |
| Broadcast (Australia) | Channel 7, Fox Cricket |
| Streaming (Australia) | 7plus, Kayo Sports |
| Streaming (India) | FanCode (no TV telecast) |
| Broadcast (New Zealand) | Sky Sport NZ |
1st T20I Recap — Australia Chase 163 in a Sydney Thriller
The series opener on October 18 at North Sydney Oval set the tone for a gripping contest. Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first, backing their deep batting line-up to chase. New Zealand responded with a composed batting display, reaching 162/2 in their 20 overs — a total that has won plenty of women’s T20Is.
The chase, though, was pure theatre. Australia stumbled to 165/8, losing wickets at regular intervals as the young New Zealand attack refused to fold, but the hosts got home in 18.5 overs — a two-wicket win with seven balls to spare. For a transitional White Ferns side, it was a performance full of promise; for Australia, it was the kind of close win that champions grind out even when far from their best.
That result also extended a familiar pattern: Australia simply find ways to win at home. Sophie Molineux, the captain, has spoken about hunting “another level of freedom” in T20 cricket this season — and with the Weber WBBL|12 clubs waiting to welcome these players after the series (the league starts on October 29), there is an extra edge to every performance.
North Sydney Oval Pitch Report and Women’s T20 Conditions
North Sydney Oval is one of Sydney’s most charming boutique grounds, and it is well known for short boundaries and high-scoring women’s T20 cricket. The dimensions invite batters to target the ropes, and the opener’s combined 327 runs across two innings underlined exactly how the ball can fly here.
Conditions for the evening fixture should again suit batting early on, with the new ball coming on nicely. As the night wears on, dew can become a factor in Sydney spring evenings, which may make gripping the ball harder for spinners and seamers alike in the second innings — another reason Australia were happy to chase in the opener. Expect the captain winning the toss to think hard about bowling first again.
Australia Women Team Preview and Squad for 2nd T20I
The reigning 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup champions look settled, but there is one selection talking point. Phoebe Litchfield missed the first T20I with an injury/fitness concern, and she has been training as the selectors mull over the XI — her return would add another gear to an already formidable top order. Beyond that, Australia’s combination is built on depth: Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry bring experience, Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland bring power-hitting and bowling, and the spin group of Molineux, Georgia Wareham and Alana King gives the captain plenty of options.
Australia squad:
- Sophie Molineux (C)
- Ashleigh Gardner (VC)
- Tahlia McGrath (VC)
- Nicola Carey
- Kim Garth
- Lucy Hamilton
- Alana King
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Beth Mooney
- Ellyse Perry
- Megan Schutt
- Annabel Sutherland
- Georgia Voll
- Georgia Wareham
New Zealand Women Team Preview and Squad for 2nd T20I
New Zealand’s rebuild is underway. With Dean Brownlie in interim charge and a squad packed with emerging names, the White Ferns are clearly building toward the future — but the 1st T20I showed they are not here just to make up numbers. Amelia Kerr leads a side that batted with real maturity in the opener, and the bowling group of Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson and Nensi Patel troubled Australia’s deep batting order far more than expected.
The challenge now is finishing the job. Taking eight wickets in the opener yet still losing is the kind of near-miss that can either galvanise a young group or haunt it. For another perspective on women’s T20I action this week, see our India Women vs Zimbabwe Women prediction.
New Zealand squad:
- Amelia Kerr (C)
- 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
AUS-W vs NZ-W Probable Playing 11 for 2nd T20I
These are probable XIs based on the announced squads and the 1st T20I combinations.
Australia Women Probable XI
- Beth Mooney (WK)
- Georgia Voll
- Ellyse Perry
- Ashleigh Gardner
- Tahlia McGrath
- Annabel Sutherland
- Sophie Molineux (C)
- Georgia Wareham
- Megan Schutt
- Kim Garth
- Alana King
Nicola Carey is the likely alternative if Australia want an extra seam option, while Phoebe Litchfield could slot straight back in if declared fit.
New Zealand Women Probable XI
- Amelia Kerr (C)
- Polly Inglis (WK)
- Georgia Plimmer
- Maddy Green
- Brooke Halliday
- Izzy Sharp
- Flora Devonshire
- Jess Kerr
- Rosemary Mair
- Nensi Patel
- Eden Carson
Key Battles to Watch in AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20I
Amelia Kerr vs Sophie Molineux and Ashleigh Gardner
New Zealand’s best batter against Australia’s two premier spinners is the central duel of the series. Kerr looked in fine touch in the opener; Molineux and Gardner will be desperate to keep her quiet through the middle overs, because if Kerr bats deep, 162 becomes 180.
Ellyse Perry vs Jess Kerr
Perry remains the wicket Australia prize most, and Jess Kerr’s new-ball swing is New Zealand’s best weapon against her. Win the first two overs of the powerplay and the White Ferns can expose a middle order that wobbled in the opener.
Mooney and Gardner vs the New-Ball Pair
Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner set the tempo of Australia’s powerplay, and Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr must strike early to have any chance. North Sydney’s short boundaries mean even good balls disappear — the margin for error with the new ball is razor-thin.
Who Will Win — AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20I Match Prediction
Everything points to Australia. They are the reigning world champions, they are at home, their squad runs fourteen deep with match-winners, and they already showed in the opener that they can win ugly. New Zealand’s transitional side fought admirably, but repeating that intensity — and this time finishing the job — is a huge ask against a team that has made a habit of closing out series at home.
The one genuine upset variable is New Zealand’s youth. A young side with nothing to lose, led by a world-class all-rounder in Amelia Kerr, can be dangerous in a one-off T20 — and the short boundaries at North Sydney Oval keep any team in the game. Expect a closer contest than the rankings suggest, and if you enjoy women’s T20I predictions, our India Women T20I prediction covers another series running this week.
Prediction: Australia Women to win the 2nd T20I and seal the series 2-0.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20I?
The 2nd T20I of the NRMA Insurance Women’s T20 Series is on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at North Sydney Oval, Sydney.
What time does the match start in India?
The match starts at 1:45 PM IST (7:15 PM AEDT) for viewers in India.
Who leads the series?
Australia Women lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the 1st T20I by two wickets on October 18.
Where can I watch AUS-W vs NZ-W 2nd T20I in India?
There is no TV telecast in India; the match streams live on FanCode. In Australia it is on Channel 7 and Fox Cricket (streaming on 7plus and Kayo Sports), and in New Zealand on Sky Sport NZ.
Who won the 1st T20I between Australia Women and New Zealand Women?
Australia won the 1st T20I at North Sydney Oval on October 18, chasing New Zealand’s 162/2 with 165/8 in 18.5 overs to win by two wickets.