Rain has delayed the start of Australia’s must-win Twenty20 women’s cricket international against a depleted New Zealand at Auckland on Thursday.
The covers remain on at Eden Park after showers delayed the toss for a game three clash that world champions Australia must win to extend their remarkable T20 streak.
Australia have not lost a T20 series since late 2017 – a run that has included two World Cup triumphs.
But they have never claimed a T20 series in New Zealand and will attempt to seal victory at a venue an Australian women’s cricket team has not played on since 1997.
World No.4 New Zealand will be out to claim consecutive T20 wins against Australia for the first time since 2017, but will do so without their skipper Sophie Devine and game two player of the match Frankie Mackay.
New Zealand coach Bob Carter said star allrounder Devine would miss the second straight T20 due to fatigue, after she was initially ruled out with illness.
“Sophie won’t play today and will stay at the team hotel as we continue to support her,” he said.
In another blow, Mackay will miss not only the T20 finale but also the upcoming three-match trans-Tasman one-day international series due to injury.
She tweaked a calf complaint during her match-turning knock of 46 off 39 balls after claiming 2-20 in New Zealand’s thrilling four-wicket game two victory at Napier on Tuesday.
Lauren Down and Molly Penfold have been injected into the New Zealand squad.
The White Ferns have won just two of their past 19 games against their trans-Tasman rivals across all formats.
Australia – who won the series opener in Hamilton by six wickets – have lost just seven of their past 40 T20s.