Australia Women beat New Zealand Women by 40 runs in the second T20I at North Sydney Oval on 20 October 2026. Ashleigh Gardner led the way with 84 off 45 balls and then took 2/17 with the ball, earning player of the match. Australia posted 167/7 and held New Zealand to 127/8.
How It Unfolded
New Zealand Women won the toss and chose to field. Gardner dominated the Australian innings, striking ten fours and four sixes before she was run out for 84 off 45 balls. Beth Mooney added 39 off 28 balls with six fours, while Ellyse Perry made 11 and Annabel Sutherland 10. Nicola Carey finished 5 not out as Australia reached 167/7. Nensi Patel (2/30) and Jess Kerr (2/34) took two wickets each for New Zealand, with Bree Illing taking 1/26 and Melie Kerr 1/37.
Chasing 168, New Zealand never found the pace they needed. Melie Kerr top-scored with 32 off 38 balls and Maddy Green made 26 off 22 before she was run out. Polly Inglis hit 19 off 10 balls, Flora Devonshire made 12 and Izzy Sharp 10, but the visitors finished on 127/8 from their 20 overs. Georgia Wareham was the pick of the Australian attack with 3/18 from four overs. Gardner took 2/17 from three overs, while Lucy Hamilton (1/17) and Kim Garth (1/21) took a wicket each.
The Oracle's Call
The CricMind Oracle locked Australia Women at 91% before the toss, with New Zealand Women at 9%, and the call was correct. The model rated Australia first at 1820 against New Zealand's 1572 in fourth, and Australia arrived at home with five straight wins. You can read the full Oracle call for every factor.
What's Next
Australia won the first T20I by two wickets with seven balls remaining, so they now lead 2-0 with one match to play, which settles the series in their favour. Follow the rest of the tour on the New Zealand Women tour of Australia 2026/27 hub.
Source: Scorecard and the Oracle call.