ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 | Match 2: Australia vs New Zealand | Preview and Predictions

Game 2 of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is a mighty clash between trans-Tasmanian rivals Australia and New Zealand at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the game. 

ICC Women’s CWC 2025 | Match 2: AUS vs NZ | 15:00 IST, October 1

The defending champions have prepared well for the World Cup with a recent 2–1 series win against India. The Australian batters have been in great form; Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, and Beth Mooney were among the runs throughout the series. With the ball, Megan Schutt and Kim Garth have been among the wickets. Though they did lose the warm-up game against England, Australia have a great balance of batting and bowling and will once again be the team to beat. 

New Zealand, on the other hand, have also had ample preparation for the World Cup with an ODI series against Sri Lanka, which they won 2–0. Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, and Georgia Plimmer all scored runs, while Jess Kerr and Fran Jones took plenty of wickets. 

Australia also beat New Zealand 2–0 in an ODI series last December and whitewashed them 3–0 in a T20I series in March this year. However, the Kiwi possess some brilliant match-winners in their squad. Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Georgia Plimmer, and Amelia Kerr are all experienced campaigners. In the bowling department, Amelia Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, and Jess Kerr can be the difference-makers.

If we look at the current head-to-head record between the two sides, their strengths and weaknesses, and overall squad balance, Australia are the far stronger side and should win this encounter — unless New Zealand can take quick wickets and restrict the Aussies to a low total.

Fantasy XI: Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Suzie Bates, Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Amelia Kerr, Annabel Sutherland, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Megan Schutt

Venue: Holkar Stadium, Indore
Winners Prediction: Australia