The Rose Bowl, a trophy traditionally awarded to the winner of the women’s One Day International (ODI) series between Australia and New Zealand since its inception in 1985, has now been extended to cover Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) as well.
This expansion begins with New Zealand’s T20I tour in Australia, kicking off on Sunday at North Sydney Oval. This sets a precedent ahead of their next meeting in March 2027 for three ODIs, also down under. When a series includes both T20Is and ODIs, the overall winner will take home the trophy. Should the series end in a draw, the current holders will keep it.
“The Rose Bowl is a prestigious trophy that holds a lot of meaning to current and past players, and it’s a series we’ve always taken a lot of pride in competing in,” said Catherine Campbell, New Zealand Cricket’s chief operations officer and former national player. She described the addition of T20Is as a fantastic opportunity to maintain the trophy’s relevance and strengthen the rivalry with Australia.
New Zealand captain Melie Kerr expressed enthusiasm for the broader competition: “We’re all aware of what the Rose Bowl represents and the importance it holds in the White Ferns whakapapa [genealogy].” She added, “Great players and teams have fought for it over the years and we’d love the opportunity to claim our own piece of that history.”
Australia has dominated the Rose Bowl, holding it continuously since their clean sweep against New Zealand in 2000. Over the series’ history, they have claimed victory in 26 out of 31 ODI series, with New Zealand winning three and sharing in three others.
The forthcoming T20I series at North Sydney Oval is scheduled for 18th, 20th, and 22nd October, marking a new chapter in the storied competition of the Rose Bowl.
