Australia overcome late scare to see off White Ferns in first T20I

Australia overcame a late middle-order collapse to defeat New Zealand by two wickets in the opening Rose Bowl T20I at North Sydney Oval. Chasing 163, Australia reached 2-102 inside 10 overs behind Ellyse Perry's 52 off 30 and Beth Mooney's 38. However, Australia lost 6-57 due to aggressive play and sharp fielding, before Tahlia McGrath and Kim Garth guided the hosts across the line with seven balls to spare.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 2-162 thanks to an unbroken 127-run stand between Georgia Plimmer, who scored a career-best 85 not out, and Maddy Green, who contributed an unbeaten 50. The victory handed Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the remaining matches also scheduled at North Sydney Oval.