When the New Zealand Women vs Australia Women T20I opener kicked off in Auckland, fans were ready for sixes, wickets, and maybe even a few sheep cheering in the stands (it is New Zealand, after all). What they didn’t expect was a bittersweet cocktail of celebration and concern — Beth Mooney smashing it in her 200th international game, and Ash Gardner possibly smashing her finger.
Mooney Milestone: 200 and Still Swinging
Australia’s batting magician, Beth Mooney, celebrated her 200th international match in style, scoring a classy 75 not out off 42 balls. If milestones had moodboards, this would be on the cover.
Chasing 138 against New Zealand at the iconic Eden Park, Mooney and youngster Georgia Voll (who chipped in with an unbeaten 35*) made the target look like a light jog in the park, as the Aussie Women cruised to an eight-wicket win.
“It’s Eden Park! Iconic, scenic, and surprisingly sunny today,” Mooney joked post-match. “Having family in the crowd and taking the win on my 200th — this was chef’s kiss perfect.”
But Hold the Celebrations—Gardner Gets Hurt
Midway through New Zealand’s innings, as Sophie Devine sent a tracer bullet of a shot straight back, Ashleigh Gardner did what any brave cricketer would do: tried to catch it. Unfortunately, the only thing she caught was a possible fracture to her right index finger.
She bowled just 14 balls before exiting the field in discomfort, her remaining over completed by Georgia Wareham, while cricket fans across Australia completed their collective gasp.
A statement from Cricket Australia later confirmed that Gardner was taken for scans, and her availability for the rest of the series is now a massive “maybe.”
As Mooney put it with a dry Aussie sense of humour, “If Devine had middled that any harder, we might be talking about orbital physics instead of just a finger injury.”
New Zealand’s Efforts: A Bit of Devine, Not Enough Miracles
New Zealand Women’s 137/8 was steady but not scary. Sophie Devine (myth, legend, and occasional finger-breaker) contributed a brisk 43 off 33, but she lacked consistent support from her teammates.
Australia’s bowlers shared the spoils, and even without Gardner for a chunk of the innings, managed to keep the Kiwi batters hopping like kangaroos in a downpour.
The Mooney–Voll Show: A Smooth Chase
Back with the bat, Mooney and Voll made batting look as effortless as sipping flat whites in Wellington. Mooney’s 75* was textbook: timing, placement, and the occasional boundary that made even Devine’s earlier fireworks seem like sparklers.
The Aussies chased the total down in just 15.3 overs, showing no mercy, no hesitation, and certainly no need to worry about net run rates.
FAQs: New Zealand Women vs Australia Women, 1st T20I
Australia Women won by 8 wickets, chasing down 138 with ease.
Gardner injured her right index finger trying to catch a return shot from Sophie Devine. She left the field and underwent scans.
Mooney scored an unbeaten 75 runs off 42 balls in her 200th international match. MVP vibes!
The next match in the series is set to be played on March 23rd at Mount Maunganui.
Captain Sophie Devine top-scored with 43 off 33 and almost sent Gardner into orbit with a vicious straight drive.
Conclusion: A Win with a Worry
The New Zealand Women vs Australia Women opening T20I was a display of dominance from the Aussies — but not without a pinch of panic. Beth Mooney proved why she’s the rock of Australian cricket, and Georgia Voll showed she’s more than just a promising name.
But the real question going into Game 2? Will Gardner be fit to return, or will Australia have to plug the hole in their all-round arsenal?
Whatever happens, if Mooney continues like this, and Gardner’s scans come back clear, Australia might just clean sweep the series with one hand tied behind their back. Preferably not a fractured one.
