Australia beat New Zealand by two wickets in the first women's T20 at North Sydney Oval on 18 October, with seven balls to spare. The score: 165 for 8 after the visitors made 162 for 2. Ellyse Perry hit 52 off 30. Georgia Plimmer finished 85 not out off 68 and was player of the match even though her side lost. The Rose Bowl stands 1-0, with two more T20s on the same ground on 20 and 22 October.

New Zealand, sent in, lost Flora Devonshire and captain Melie Kerr early. Then Plimmer and Maddy Green (56 off 37) put on an unbroken stand of more than 120. The hosts kept them under 170 but dropped chances in the field and left a target they should have chased quietly. It was not quiet.

Georgia Voll fell the second ball, LBW to Bree Illing, umpire's call. Perry and Beth Mooney (38 off 25) repaired it with 86. Mooney was run out after a wrong start, having taken her contact lenses out. Perry brought up her 12th T20I fifty with a straight drive, then hit a Jess Kerr long hop straight to deep backward square. From 145 for 7 in the 16th over the game tightened.

Jess Kerr took 3 for 25. Sophie Molineux was still four short when she missed a lap sweep and was bowled by Rosemary Mair. Kim Garth finished it with a square drive to the fence. ESPNcricinfo called the chase nervy; cricket.com.au called it a scare. For the T20 world champions it is a signal: without Phoebe Litchfield, out with a hip and replaced by Tahlia McGrath, the middle order still trips.

For the White Ferns, after the retirements of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, it is encouragement. A new side took the champions into the last useful ball. It was not enough. It was enough to stop the series looking like a formality.

The second T20 is also at North Sydney. Australia take the lead. New Zealand take an opener's unbeaten fifty and proof that 162 for 2 can squeeze a favourite dressing room.

Image: Sam Hood, cricket at North Sydney Oval, public domain, Wikimedia Commons; interwar archive, not the 18 October 2026 T20.

Sources consulted: Australia beats New Zealand in first women's T20 - ABC News; Australia overcome late scare to see off White Ferns - cricket.com.au.