Who Will Win New Zealand Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd ODI 2026 Match Prediction

The New Zealand Women vs Zimbabwe Women prediction for the 2nd ODI 2026 is the second match of the series at University Oval in Dunedin — and based on what unfolded in the first game, it is one of the most one-sided fixtures in women’s ODI cricket this year.

New Zealand Women won the first ODI by 180 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. They batted first and posted a mammoth 354 for 3 in 50 overs — one of the highest women’s ODI totals seen in New Zealand in recent years.

The innings was built on Brooke Halliday’s extraordinary 157 off just 118 balls. It was a dominant, powerful innings that showcased exactly why Halliday is considered one of the most exciting batters in women’s ODI cricket right now. She is the top run-scorer in the series with 157 runs.

Maddy Green (67) and Emma McLeod (35) laid the foundation after New Zealand lost Amelia Kerr early. Their partnership stabilised the innings and gave Halliday the platform to launch one of the most destructive batting displays of this series.

Zimbabwe Women’s chase fell apart quickly. They were bowled out for 174, losing the match by 180 runs. Amelia Kerr took 4 wickets for 35 runs — a match-defining bowling performance from the New Zealand captain and all-rounder. She is the series’ leading wicket-taker with 4 scalps.

For Zimbabwe, only Kelis Ndhlovu (52) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (38) passed 30. Beloved Biza contributed usefully. But none of them could carry their innings deep enough to threaten a total of 354. Precious Marange took 1 wicket — the only wicket-taker Zimbabwe could manage in the entire match.

The gulf in quality between these two sides is significant. New Zealand are a full ICC member with professional infrastructure, experienced players, and home conditions in their favour. Zimbabwe Women are a developing side still building their ODI capabilities.

New Zealand Women lead this series 1-0 and will be looking to seal a 2-0 series win in Dunedin on Sunday. Zimbabwe Women will be fighting for a consolation win and individual performances that give them confidence heading into the final match.

Cricketwebs brings you the full NZW vs ZIMW 2nd ODI 2026 prediction — team previews, playing XIs, pitch report, weather, toss, and our expert winner selection.

Match Details

Match	NZW vs ZIMW, 2nd ODI 2026
Date	Sunday, 8th March 2026
Time	3:30 AM (IST)
Venue	University Oval, Dunedin, New Zealand
Tournament	New Zealand Women vs Zimbabwe Women ODI Series 2026
Broadcaster	FanCode

New Zealand Women Preview

New Zealand Women enter the 2nd ODI on the back of a commanding 180-run victory — one of the most comprehensive wins in this series so far. Everything clicked in the first match: the batting was explosive, the bowling was relentless, and the fielding was sharp.

Brooke Halliday was the undisputed star of the series opener. Her 157 off 118 balls was a masterclass in ODI batting — building her innings in the early stages, accelerating through the middle, and finishing with brutal power in the final ten overs. She will bat with enormous confidence in the second match.

Halliday is now the series’ leading run-scorer and will be looking to extend that tally at University Oval. Her ability to attack both pace and spin, clear the boundary regularly, and pace her innings according to the match situation makes her the most dangerous batter on either side.

Maddy Green and Emma McLeod both contributed in the first ODI and will be looking for bigger scores in the second. Green’s 67 showed she is in form, and at a venue like University Oval where the batting surface can be very good, another big score is entirely possible.

Captain Amelia Kerr leads this team with authority. She is an exceptional all-rounder — her 157 off 118 batting contribution in the previous series, combined with 4 wickets at 35 runs in the first ODI of this series, shows her impact across all phases.

Isabella Gaze behind the stumps provides aggressive opening batting and reliable wicket-keeping. Polly Inglis and Bree Illing add depth to what is already an extraordinarily deep batting lineup.

The bowling attack is equally well-stocked. Amelia Kerr’s leg-spin is the standout weapon — her 4 wickets in the first ODI showed exactly why she is one of the world’s premier women’s leg-spinners. Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair provide reliable pace options.

Bella James, Molly Penfold, and Nensi Patel offer additional bowling variety. New Zealand have enough bowling depth to dismiss Zimbabwe Women for under 180 if the batting collapses in the middle overs.

New Zealand’s only concern is avoiding complacency. The series is 1-0, the individual form is excellent, and home conditions at Dunedin are familiar. Every player in this lineup will be motivated to maintain the high standards set in the first ODI.

Key New Zealand Women Statistics

• Brooke Halliday: 157 runs (1st ODI) off 118 balls — series leading run-scorer, best batter in this fixture
• Amelia Kerr: 4 wickets for 35 runs in 1st ODI — series leading wicket-taker, devastating leg-spin at University Oval
• First ODI score: 354/3 in 50 overs — one of the highest women’s ODI totals posted at home, showing this batting depth is extraordinary

Zimbabwe Women Preview

Zimbabwe Women arrive at University Oval for the second ODI knowing the series is already against them. Being bowled out for 174 in a chase of 354 in the first match highlighted the enormous gap in quality between these two sides at this point in time.

But Zimbabwe Women will not give up. There are players in this squad who have shown genuine fight and ability. The challenge for captain Mary-Anne Musonda is to find a performance that gives her team pride and confidence — even if a series win is now out of reach.

Kelis Ndhlovu was Zimbabwe’s standout batter in the first ODI with 52 runs. Her ability to play straight, rotate strike, and find the boundary shows she has the temperament for international women’s cricket. She is Zimbabwe’s top scorer in the series and will need to build on that performance significantly in the second match.

Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano scored 38 in the first ODI and was Zimbabwe’s second-highest scorer. Her partnership with Ndhlovu gave Zimbabwe some momentum in the middle of their innings before the collapse arrived. Mugeri-Tiripano’s experience at this level is vital for the younger players around her.

Beloved Biza contributed usefully in the first ODI and has shown she can handle the pace and quality of New Zealand Women’s bowling attack. Modester Mupachikwa opens the batting and serves as the wicket-keeper — her role at the top is to give Zimbabwe a platform before the specialist batters come in.

Mary-Anne Musonda’s captaincy is crucial in this second match. She needs to lift her team from the disappointment of the first ODI and find a way to compete across all 50 overs. Zimbabwe’s batting order needs to bat longer as a unit rather than relying on individual performances.

The bowling has been Zimbabwe Women’s biggest challenge in this series. Precious Marange took 1 wicket in the first match — the only Zimbabwe bowler to take a wicket as New Zealand posted 354 for 3. Containing Halliday and Kerr across 50 overs will require a significantly improved collective bowling performance.

Nyasha Gwanzura, Anesu Mushangwe, Loreen Tshuma, and Loryn Phiri round out the bowling attack. All of them will need to be more economical and more wicket-taking if Zimbabwe are to restrict New Zealand to a chaseable total.

Zimbabwe’s best chance of a competitive match is to win the toss, bat first, and set a target that gives them something to bowl at. Batting second against New Zealand’s bowling attack — with Amelia Kerr fresh and motivated — is a near-impossible task based on the first ODI evidence.

Key Zimbabwe Women Statistics

• Kelis Ndhlovu: 52 runs (1st ODI) — Zimbabwe’s top scorer and most dependable batter in this series
• Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano: 38 runs (1st ODI) — experienced middle-order player and Zimbabwe’s most reliable batting partner for Ndhlovu
• Precious Marange: 1 wicket (1st ODI) — Zimbabwe’s only wicket-taker, must lead a significantly improved bowling performance

Team Squads

New Zealand Women ODI Squad

Amelia Kerr (c), Isabella Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Jess Kerr, Emma McLeod, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Izzy Sharp (wk)

Zimbabwe Women ODI Squad

Mary-Anne Musonda (c), Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Josephine Nkomo, Loreen Tshuma, Loryn Phiri, Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Nyasha Gwanzura, Christabel Chatonzwa, Kudzai Chigora, Audrey Mazvishaya, Chiedza Dhururu, Precious Marange, Anesu Mushangwe

Probable Playing XI

🇳🇿 New Zealand Women XI	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Women XI
Isabella Gaze (wk)	Modester Mupachikwa (wk)
Emma McLeod	Kelis Ndhlovu
Maddy Green	Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano
Brooke Halliday	Mary-Anne Musonda (c)
Amelia Kerr (c)	Beloved Biza
Polly Inglis	Josephine Nkomo
Bree Illing	Loreen Tshuma
Bella James	Nyasha Gwanzura
Jess Kerr	Precious Marange
Rosemary Mair	Anesu Mushangwe
Molly Penfold	Loryn Phiri

Favourite Team — New Zealand Women (Why?)

New Zealand Women are the overwhelming favourites to win the 2nd ODI and complete a 2-0 series lead over Zimbabwe Women at University Oval.

The evidence from the first match is decisive. New Zealand posted 354 for 3 — a total Zimbabwe never came close to chasing. Brooke Halliday’s 157 off 118 balls was the kind of innings that wins ODI matches on its own. Amelia Kerr then took 4 wickets to dismantle Zimbabwe’s batting lineup for 174.

New Zealand have the deepest batting lineup, the most dangerous bowling attack, and home conditions in Dunedin working in their favour. Zimbabwe’s best individual performances were not enough to win the first match — they are unlikely to be enough in the second either.

This is a 98% probability of a New Zealand Women victory. The only outcome that changes this is extraordinary individual performances from Zimbabwe combined with complete complacency from the hosts.

Pitch Report — University Oval, Dunedin

University Oval in Dunedin is one of New Zealand’s most scenic cricket grounds and offers a true, even surface that generally rewards both batting and swing bowling. The pitch at this venue tends to offer pace and carry for fast bowlers early — Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair will relish the new ball conditions.

As the innings progresses, the surface flattens out and becomes increasingly batter-friendly, allowing set batters to play their shots freely. Amelia Kerr’s leg-spin becomes effective from the 15th over onwards when the surface takes some turn. Average women’s ODI scores at this venue are in the 240-280 range, though New Zealand’s batting means they can exceed that regularly.

Weather Report

Condition	Forecast
Temperature	14–19°C
Humidity	60–72%
Rain Chances	20%
Wind	Moderate southerly
Sky	Partly cloudy

Dunedin in early March can be unpredictable. Temperatures of 14-19°C at the 3:30 AM IST start (daytime in New Zealand). A 20% rain probability means interruptions are possible but a full 100-over match remains the most likely outcome. The moderate southerly wind could assist swing bowlers in the early overs.

Broadcast Details

The New Zealand Women vs Zimbabwe Women 2nd ODI 2026 will be available to stream live in India on FanCode. Subscribers can access live streaming, ball-by-ball commentary, and match highlights through the FanCode app and website. International viewers should check ICC’s official broadcast partners in their respective regions for coverage details.

Toss Prediction

New Zealand Women are predicted to win the toss at University Oval. The moderate rain risk and the knowledge that their batting lineup is capable of posting any total makes batting first the logical choice for Amelia Kerr.

By setting a large target early, New Zealand remove any risk of a rain-affected D/L calculation benefitting Zimbabwe. Toss Prediction: New Zealand Women to win the toss and bat first.

Score Prediction

Scenario	Predicted Score	Reason
NZ Women Bat First	310+	Halliday (157 in 1st ODI), Kerr, Green, and McLeod all in form. University Oval batter-friendly after 15 overs. NZ’s depth means they can bat all 50 overs without collapsing.
Zimbabwe Bat First	145+	Ndhlovu and Tiripano are capable of partnerships but Zimbabwe’s lower order has been fragile. Kerr’s leg-spin and NZ’s pace attack should restrict Zimbabwe to under 160.

Probable Top Batsman & Bowler

Brooke Halliday is the runaway favourite to top-score from New Zealand Women. Her 157 off 118 in the first ODI is the most dominant individual batting performance of this series. At University Oval — where she will be batting with confidence and on a surface she knows — another big innings is highly likely.

Amelia Kerr is the alternative — her ability to bat at number five and score quickly, combined with her all-round contributions, gives her the broadest ceiling of any player in the fixture. Maddy Green (67 in first ODI) and Emma McLeod (35) are also in form and could produce significant scores.

For Zimbabwe Women, Kelis Ndhlovu is the only realistic top-scorer candidate. Her 52 in the first ODI was Zimbabwe’s best performance. If she can bat deeper into the innings in the second match and build a longer partnership, she has the ability to reach a half-century again.

With the ball, Amelia Kerr is the clear standout. Her 4 wickets for 35 in the first ODI confirms her status as the most dangerous bowler in this fixture by a significant margin. Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair provide the pace options. For Zimbabwe, Precious Marange (1 wicket) is the only bowler who has shown any wicket-taking ability — she will need to be significantly more effective in the second match.

New Zealand Women vs Zimbabwe Women Winning Chances

Team	Win %	Why They Can Win	Why They Might Lose
🇳🇿 NZ Women	98%	Won first ODI by 180 runs, posted 354/3, Halliday 157 off 118, Kerr 4/35, home conditions at Dunedin, deepest batting and bowling lineup by far	Near-impossible to lose — only risk is extreme complacency or weather interruption affecting NZ’s ability to control the match
🇿🇼 ZIM Women	2%	Ndhlovu (52) and Tiripano (38) showed batting intent in first ODI; Precious Marange took a wicket; series already lost means pressure is off	Bowled out for 174 chasing 354 in first ODI, only Ndhlovu passed 50, bowling conceded 354/3, massive gap in experience and quality at this level

Also Check For More: Women’s Cricket Prediction

Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.

Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricketwebs on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Legal Disclaimer: All content is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Cricketwebs does not promote betting or gambling.