Match Result — Australia Win Series 2-0 After Sydney Washout
Rain had the final say at North Sydney Oval on Thursday as the third and final women’s T20I between Australia and New Zealand was abandoned without a result after just 2.4 overs of play. Persistent drizzle turned into heavy rain and forced the umpires to call the game off for good at 9:46pm local time, with New Zealand stranded on 11 for 2.
Australia had already secured the series with wins in the first two games of this all-Sydney series, so the washout confirmed a 2-0 series victory and they retain the Rose Bowl trophy they have held for more than 26 years.
How the Match Unfolded
Play began more than an hour behind schedule on a damp, cloudy evening, and the game was trimmed to 14 overs per side. Australia captain Sophie Molineux won the toss and chose to bowl first. Both teams fielded unchanged XIs, but New Zealand reshuffled their batting order after their struggles in the second game — skipper Melie Kerr was promoted from No.3 to open, Izzy Sharp moved from No.5 to No.3, and Flora Devonshire dropped down to No.6.
The changes barely had time to be tested. Kerr did not even receive the strike until the eighth delivery of the innings, but she was keen to get on with it — whacking Molineux for a first-ball boundary through the covers before skying the next ball to mid-on. That was Molineux’s 20th first-over wicket of her career, and a soft dismissal for the New Zealand captain on just 4 off 2 balls.
Kim Garth then struck in her first over, varying her pace with a string of slower balls before producing a quicker one that bowled Georgia Plimmer for 2 off 12. New Zealand were 11 for 2 when the rain returned and never relented — the players left the field for good, with Izzy Sharp 4 not out and Maddy Green yet to get off the mark.
Key Performances
Sophie Molineux led from the front with 1 for 10 in the only over she bowled, removing Melie Kerr with her captaincy call to bowl first looking the right one. Kim Garth was even more economical, taking 1 for 1 as she dismissed Georgia Plimmer with a clever change of pace.
With the ball having done so little across the series finale, the real honours of the series belonged to Ashleigh Gardner, named Player of the Series for 107 runs and 2 wickets across the two completed matches — highlighted by her 84 off 45 balls in the 2nd T20I.
| Match | Result |
| 1st T20I | NZ-W 162/2; AUS-W 165/8 — Australia won by 2 wickets |
| 2nd T20I | AUS-W 167/7; NZ-W 127/8 — Australia won by 40 runs |
| 3rd T20I | NZ-W 11/2 (2.4 ov) — No result (rain) |
What the Result Means
Australia take the three-match series 2-0 and keep their vice-like grip on the Rose Bowl, now held for over 26 years. It was an anti-climactic end to what had been a largely competitive series — the first T20I cricket for both sides since the T20 World Cup — but the hosts were the deserved winners across the two completed games.
For New Zealand, it is a what-might-have-been: their reshuffled top order never got a chance to answer the questions raised by their 127 for 8 collapse in the second match. The trans-Tasman rivals will not have to wait long for another crack at the trophy, with a three-match ODI series in Canberra and Melbourne coming up in March. Before that, Australia’s top players — Kerr included — feature in Weber WBBL|12, which starts in Melbourne on October 29; Australia then head to Sri Lanka for three ODIs in December, ahead of the inaugural T20 Champions Trophy in India in February.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the result of the AUS-W vs NZ-W 3rd T20I 2026? The match ended with no result — rain washed it out at North Sydney Oval after only 2.4 overs, with New Zealand on 11 for 2.
- Who won the toss in the 3rd T20I? Australia won the toss and captain Sophie Molineux elected to bowl in a 14-overs-a-side game.
- Who won the AUS-W vs NZ-W T20I series 2026? Australia won the three-match series 2-0 and retained the Rose Bowl trophy.
- Who was the Player of the Series? Ashleigh Gardner, for 107 runs and 2 wickets across the two completed matches.
- How many overs were bowled before the abandonment? Only 2.4 overs — NZ were 11/2 (Izzy Sharp 4*, Maddy Green 0*; Molineux 1/10, Garth 1/1) when play was abandoned at 9:46pm.
- What is next for Australia and New Zealand? The two sides meet in a three-match ODI series in Canberra and Melbourne in March; WBBL|12 starts in Melbourne on October 29.
Conclusion
Fittingly or frustratingly, the weather wrote the final chapter of this series. Australia were the better side when it mattered and walk away with the Rose Bowl and a 2-0 series win, while New Zealand leave Sydney knowing they never truly fired in the format. The rivalry resumes in the ODI series in March — and with the T20 Champions Trophy on the horizon in February, both camps have plenty to build toward.
Green Benn is a dedicated sports writer specializing in cricket, including IPL and international formats. Known for clear, engaging, and informative content, Green simplifies complex match analysis and player statistics for all readers. Passionate about sports storytelling, Green delivers reliable, SEO-friendly articles that keep fans updated and informed
