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Defending Champions Australia Women Brace for Injury-Hit Title Defense Against T20 World Champs New Zealand
1 Oct
Summary
- Australia faces injury blow with Grace Harris ruled out
- New Zealand combines experienced players and promising youngsters
- Australia boasts strong spin and pace attacks, powerful batting lineup
On October 1st, 2025, the defending champions Australia Women's cricket team will begin their title defense against the current T20 world champions, New Zealand Women, in Indore. The Sophie Devine-led New Zealand side will be aiming to pull off an upset, having won the T20 World Cup just last year.
Australia has received a significant blow with the news that Grace Harris has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a calf strain. However, the team boasts a dangerous spin attack featuring Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, and Alana King, as well as a strong pace lineup including Megan Schutt, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, and Darcie Brown.
In the batting department, Australia's lineup is powerful, with the likes of Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, and Phoebe Litchfield. The seven-time champions will be looking to make the most of the familiar conditions, having played an ODI series against India just before the tournament.
New Zealand, on the other hand, cannot be taken lightly. They have combined the experience of Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu with the promise of youngsters like Georgia Plimmer and Izzy Gaze. After rigorous training camps in Chennai and Abu Dhabi, the Kiwis will be seeking another upset, hoping to replicate their T20 triumph from last year.
