Ellyse Perry's 52 steers Australia past New Zealand by two wickets in T20I opener
Synopsis
Playing their first T20 since winning the World Cup in July, Australia needed Perry's blazing 52 and a Kim Garth boundary off the last moment to survive a gut-wrenching collapse and edge New Zealand by two wickets. New Zealand's Georgia Plimmer smashed a career-best unbeaten 85, but it wasn't quite enough to stop the champions.
Key Takeaways
Australia beat New Zealand by two wickets in the first women's T20I at North Sydney Oval on 18 October 2026 .
Ellyse Perry top-scored with 52 off 30 balls , reaching her fifty off just 27 deliveries .
Australia slipped to 145/7 before Kim Garth's boundary sealed a nervy win with seven balls to spare .
Georgia Plimmer hit a career-best unbeaten 85 off 68 and Maddy Green made 56 not out , sharing an unbroken 129-run stand for New Zealand.
Jess Kerr took 3 for 25 for New Zealand; Amelia Kerr conceded her T20I career-worst 50 runs in four overs.
Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 ; it was their first T20 match since winning the T20 World Cup in July .
Ellyse Perry's scintillating 52 off 30 balls anchored Australia's chase before a late-order wobble, as the hosts survived a tense finish to beat New Zealand by two wickets and seven balls to spare in the first women's T20I at North Sydney Oval on 18 October 2026. Chasing 163, Australia completed the chase at 165/8 in 18.5 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Perry and Mooney Build the Platform
Australia lost opener Georgia Voll cheaply — trapped lbw by left-arm pacer Bree Illing on the second ball of the chase. Perry then joined Beth Mooney and the pair constructed an 86-run second-wicket stand that appeared to put Australia firmly in control. Mooney made 38 before being dismissed in bizarre circumstances, running herself out after setting off for a non-existent single amid a loud lbw appeal. Perry, meanwhile, reached her half-century off just 27 deliveries with a straight drive before holing out to deep backward square off a Jess Kerr long hop.
Late Collapse Sets Up a Nervy Finish
What had looked a straightforward chase unravelled as Australia slid to 145/7 in the 16th over. Jess Kerr was the chief wrecker, finishing with 3 for 25. She had Ashleigh Gardner trapped lbw on review, while Nicola Carey was run out in a mix-up to compound Australia's misery. Captain Sophie Molineux, who had steadied the innings, was bowled by Rosemary Mair attempting a lap sweep with just four runs still needed. It was left to Kim Garth to settle matters — and she did so in style, square-driving for four to seal the win.
New Zealand's Plimmer and Green Shine with Unbroken 129-Run Stand
Invited to bat first, New Zealand posted an imposing 162/2, powered by a career-best unbeaten 85 off 68 balls from Georgia Plimmer and a fluent 56 not out off 37 deliveries from Maddy Green. The duo shared an unbroken 129-run partnership that gave New Zealand the edge. Plimmer was fortunate to survive, reprieved on scores of 15 and 39 when Mooney — keeping up to the stumps — missed a stumping and dropped a catch. For Australia, Annabel Sutherland took 1 for 28 and Garth returned 1 for 34. New Zealand skipper Amelia Kerr conceded 50 runs in her four overs — the most expensive figures of her T20I career — and was dismissed by a superb diving catch from returning left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton, who otherwise went wicketless for 23 in her two overs.
Context: First Game Since T20 World Cup Triumph
The match marked Australia's first T20 outing since they lifted the T20 World Cup in July, and the rustiness showed in their middle-order misfires. Phoebe Litchfield was ruled out of the game with a hip injury, bringing Tahlia McGrath into the XI. Notably, despite the wobble, Australia's depth ultimately proved sufficient — underscoring why they remain the benchmark side in women's cricket. The three-match series continues with the second T20I in the coming days.
Point of View
Post-World Cup, she remains the side's anchor when the top order fragments. The second is a warning: a 162-target nearly became a 165-run stumble, exposing a fragile middle order that opponents will target in closer games. New Zealand's Plimmer, meanwhile, served notice that the 'spirit of the series' narrative may give way to a competitive upset if Australia's batting depth is probed again.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first women's T20I between Australia and New Zealand?
Australia won the first women's T20I at North Sydney Oval on 18 October 2026, beating New Zealand by two wickets and seven balls to spare, chasing down a target of 163 with a final score of 165/8. The result gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
How did Ellyse Perry perform in the match?
Ellyse Perry scored a crucial 52 off 30 balls, reaching her half-century off just 27 deliveries with a straight drive. She added 86 for the second wicket with Beth Mooney before holing out, but her innings formed the backbone of the successful chase.
What was New Zealand's total and who scored the most runs for them?
New Zealand posted 162/2 batting first. Georgia Plimmer scored a career-best unbeaten 85 off 68 balls, and Maddy Green made 56 not out off 37 deliveries. The pair shared an unbroken 129-run stand.
How did Australia almost lose after looking in control?
Australia were cruising the chase before collapsing to 145/7 in the 16th over. Jess Kerr took 3 for 25, dismissing Ashleigh Gardner lbw on review, while Beth Mooney was run out bizarrely and Nicola Carey fell in a mix-up. Captain Sophie Molineux was then bowled by Rosemary Mair four runs short of the target, leaving Kim Garth to seal the win with a square drive for four.
Was this Australia's first T20 match after winning the T20 World Cup?
Yes, this was Australia's first T20 match since they lifted the T20 World Cup in July 2026. Phoebe Litchfield was also ruled out of this game with a hip injury, bringing Tahlia McGrath into the playing XI.
