Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

AUS-W vs NZ-W 1st T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS-W vs NZ-W 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia Women vs New Zealand Women Key Players | Allan Border Field Brisbane Pitch Report

For the first time since a Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe T20I in March, an international cricket match will have a crowd in attendance. Two traditional rivals will lock horns in front of spectators in at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane.

While the capacity is capped at just 50%, the public will witness Australia, the T20 World Cup Champions, in action after their magnificent performance in front of over 84,000 people on International Women’s Day earlier in 2020. So much has happened around the world since then, but the great Australian side will be keen to continue their magnificent momentum, and there is no better way to kick off the international season than with a win. However, there will be no Ellyse Perry, as she continues to work hard in her quest to return from a serious hamstring injury, suffered in the T20 World Cup against New Zealand.

It has been a disappointing year for New Zealand’s team of talented cricketers. They failed to qualify out of the group stages of the T20 World Cup earlier this year, losing a virtual Quarter Final against Australia by four runs. Sophie Devine, arguably their greatest cricketer, called it a “crappy feeling”, so there is the opportunity here to right the wrongs of a disappointing World Cup campaign. Can they overcome Australia this time to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series?

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Beth Mooney is undoubtedly the unsung hero of this Australian team. Her consistency is testament to her ability, and it shows in her numbers in 2020: 11 T20Is, 467 runs, avg. 58.37, SR 124.20. This includes 60 (50) vs NZ in the World Cup.
• Also, Mooney loves batting at Allan Border Field, where this match will be played. In the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2019, Mooney scored 268 runs on this ground in five matches at an average of 89.33.
• Her opening partner, Alyssa Healy, was enduring a quiet 2020 until she burst into life in the T20 World Cup Final (75 off 39 balls). She has the second-most runs against NZ out of any current Australia player (391).
• Suzie Bates has the most runs in Australia-NZ T20Is, with an 911 runs (and 23 wickets) to her name. These runs come at a respectable T20 average of 26.03, so she will be key for NZ.
• As will Sophie Devine. She has 374 runs and 24 wickets in 23 T20Is against Australia. Also, Devine is having a splendid 2020 with the bat: 8 T20Is, 429 runs, avg. 71.50, SR 132.40, 4 50s, 1 100.
• Devine dominated the Women’s Big Bash League in 2019, scoring the most runs (769, avg. 76.90). Plus, she is coming off 89 runs in the 40-over warm up match vs Australia on Thursday.
• Meg Lanning has the most runs of any current Australia player in AUS-NZ T20Is (489).
• Sophie Molineux scored 57 and took 5/29 in a superb all-round in the 40-over warm up match vs NZ on Thursday. Rachael Haynes also starred, scoring 54.
• Amy Satterthwaite is back from maternity leave. She scored 48 in the warm up match, and looked in good touch.
• Watch out for the very talented Amelia Kerr. The young all-rounder took six wickets in four matches at the T20 World Cup, and scored a superb 34* (19) vs India.
• Georgia Wareham was player of the match against NZ in the World Cup earlier this year (3/17). Megan Schutt took 3/23 in the same match.
• Also, Schutt has 18 wickets in 15 matches vs NZ. Lea Tahuhu will be key for NZ, as she has 13 wickets in 16 T20Is vs Australia.
• Jess Jonassen has been superb for Australia in 2020: 11 T20Is, 17 wickets, avg. 13.52.

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 41, Australia 21, New Zealand 19, 1 abandoned.
• Australia have won their past five T20Is against New Zealand.
• New Zealand’s last win against Australia in a T20I was back in 2017.
• Amy Satterthwaite is set to play her 100th T20I match.
• Beth Mooney scored 80 (retired out) in the warm up match vs NZ on Thursday.

Possible Playing 11

Ellyse Perry is out of the first T20I as she has undertaken minimal training in the leadup to the match up. Earlier in the year, Perry said she was willing to miss part of the new season to fully recover from a serious hamstring injury.

There is a chance that seamer Belinda Vakarewa could make her debut in this T20I, after impressing in the practice match. Speaking on the eve of the match, captain Meg Lanning said, “Belinda Vakarewa was really impressive, especially with the new ball. Suzie Bates came out pretty hard at her and she was able to hold her back and get her wicket in the end,” she said.

Sophie Molineux did brilliantly in the warm-up match (half century and five wickets), and is a good chance to play.

Australia: 1. Alyssa Healy (wk), 2. Beth Mooney, 3. Meg Lanning (c), 4. Ashleigh Gardner, 5. Rachael Haynes, 6. Sophie Molineux, 7. Jess Jonassen, 8. Nicola Carey, 9. Georgia Wareham/Molly Strano, 10. Delissa Kimmince, 11. Megan Schutt

Amy Sattherthwaite is set to slot into New Zealand’s top order in her first international after maternity leave. She played well in the warm up match, scoring 48 runs. Also, Holly Huddlestone performed well in the warm up match, dismissing both Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning.

New Zealand: 1. Sophie Devine (c), 2. Jess Watkin, 3. Suzie Bates, 4. Amy Satterthwaite, 5. Maddy Green, 6. Katey Martin (wk), 7. Amelia Kerr, 8. Hayley Jensen, 9. Jess Kerr, 10. Holly Huddlestone, 11. Lea Tahuhu

Allan Border Field Brisbane Pitch and Weather Report

The Allan Border Field track is usually on the slower side. In the men’s domestic one day (50 overs) competition in 2019, the average first innings score was 227.25 in four matches, with the chasing team winning all four matches. In the Women’s Big Bash League 2019, the average first innings score was 141.25 in eight matches. The chasing team won seven times in those eight matches.

The weather forecast looks outstanding, with a temperature of 25 degrees and sunshine.

Dream11 Prediction

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Match Prediction

Australia look good for a win against a side they have an excellent recent record against. New Zealand’s experienced players need to lead the way, but Australia, even without Perry, look a well-rounded team.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Do you write cricket blogs? Here are 6 tips to writing great cricket blogs!