Australia Women beat New Zealand Women by 40 runs in the 2nd T20I of the tour at North Sydney Oval, Sydney, on 20 Oct 2026. New Zealand Women won the toss and elected to bowl first; Australia Women made 167/7 in their 20 overs, and New Zealand Women replied with 127/8.
Gardner anchored the Australia Women innings with 84 off 45 balls, hitting 10 fours and 4 sixes before she was run out (AC Kerr/Mair) off the final ball, at 19.6 with the score on 167/7. Beth Mooney made 39 off 28 balls with 6 fours before she was caught by Green off Jess Kerr at 12.4, leaving the score at 101/4. Ellyse Perry added 11 off 13 balls. Georgia Wareham was bowled by Patel for 3 at 118/5, and Annabel Sutherland was bowled by AC Kerr for 10 at 137/6.
For New Zealand Women, Nensi Patel took 2 for 30 and Jess Kerr 2 for 34, each from 4 overs.
In the chase, New Zealand Women lost Georgia Plimmer for 6 at 10/1 and Flora Devonshire for 12 at 36/2. Melie Kerr top-scored with 32 off 38 balls before she was caught by Wareham off Gardner at 13.4, with the score on 77/3. Maddy Green made 26 off 22 balls before she was run out by Wareham at 15.2, at 89/4, and Izzy Sharp fell for 10 three balls later at 91/5.
Polly Inglis made 19 off 10 balls with 3 fours before she was bowled by Wareham at 19.1, at 122/7, and Rosemary Mair was bowled by Wareham for 1 at 124/8. New Zealand Women finished on 127/8.
Wareham finished with 3 for 18 from 4 overs, and also held catches and effected a run out. Gardner added 2 for 17 from 3 overs to her 84.
