Australia opt to bowl in rain-shortened third T20I against New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand were both unchanged in a T20I series finale reduced to 14 overs per side due to wet weather at North Sydney Oval.

The third and final game will start more than an hour after schedule, but rain could still have an impact with scattered showers forecast. The normal six-over powerplay has been reduced to 4.1 overs, while four bowlers can bowl a maximum of three overs and a fifth bowler can bowl a maximum of two overs.

Australia have already won the series, but have not hit top form in their return to the format since winning the T20 World Cup in July. But they've still outclassed their inexperienced opponents New Zealand in this series, and produced a more commanding performance in the second T20I with a 40-run victory after a nervy two-wicket win in the series opener.

New Zealand, though, have been competitive as they launch a new era after the retirements of stalwarts Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu following the T20 World Cup.

They have reshuffled their batting order with skipper Melie Kerr to move up from No. 3 to open, replacing Flora Devonshire, who has moved down to No. 6. Big-hitter Izzy Sharp has moved up to two places to No. 3.

Meanwhile, Australia seamer Megan Schutt was not available for selection after being suspended by Cricket Australia for two matches for not adhering to strict rules regarding the use of prescription medication.

Schutt had been overlooked for the opening two matches after starring in the ODI series against Bangladesh immediately before the T20Is against New Zealand.

Australia: 1 Beth Mooney (wk), 2 Georgia Voll, 3 Phoebe Litchfield, 4 Ellyse Perry, 5 Ash Gardner, 6 Georgia Wareham, 7 Annabel Sutherland, 8 Nicola Carey, 9 Sophie Molineux (capt), 10 Kim Garth, 11 Lucy Hamilton

New Zealand: 1 Georgia Plimmer, 2 Melie Kerr (capt), 3 Izzy Sharp, 4 Maddy Green, 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Flora Devonshire, 7 Jess Kerr, 8 Polly Inglis (wk), 9 Rosemary Mair, 10 Nensi Patel, 11 Bree Illing