The New Zealand WHITE FERNS have the opportunity to take back the Rose Bowl for the first time in 17 years this summer, when they host world champions Australia in February 2016.
The coveted piece of silverware will be contested over three One-Day Internationals — which will double as a round of the ICC Women’s Championship (IWC). The WHITE FERNS last competed for the Rose Bowl in 2012 in Australia, and haven’t won it since 1999.
Wet weather left a drawn Rose Bowl series in 2009, when Haidee Tiffen was captain
WHITE FERNS captain Suzie Bates says facing Australia is as good as it gets.
“When it’s New Zealand against Australia, there is always something special about it, particularly at home. No one in our team has ever won the Rose Bowl, but that only increases our hunger. We’ll be desperate to win.”
Suzie Bates scoring a captain's century against Australia at the 2013 Women's World Cup
Facing their trans-Tasman rivals is just one highlight of the summer, the WHITE FERNS' international season beginning with a maiden home series against Sri Lanka.
Having previously appeared in New Zealand only during the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2000, Sri Lanka is set to play five ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals here this November.
In the first three of those ODIs, IWC points will be on the line.
Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Hagley Oval and Saxton Oval will host games during the Sri Lankan series, while the WHITE FERNS' three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals against Australia will be played at North Island venues Bay Oval, the Basin Reserve and Pukekura Park.
It will be the first women’s international match at Pukekura Park since 1982.
A rare visit from Sri Lanka is a treat for the fans of international women's cricket
WHITE FERNS coach Haidee Tiffen said it was great to have two incoming tours this summer.
“It’s a big summer for us, which promises some fantastic matches. To have 14 days of international cricket at home is really exciting, and to be playing in five different regions makes it even better," says Tiffen.
“It’s great to have Sri Lanka visiting for their first series here, and they’re a team that has improved a lot in recent years. We’ll have to be on our game.
“Then Australia will be the ultimate challenge. They’re world number one for a reason but, if we prepare well, we know we’re capable of beating them."
The New Zealand women's domestic summer for 2015/16 has been tailored to give players maximum opportunity to take on Australia's "Southern Stars".
Says Tiffen, “We’re already looking forward to the start of the summer.”
2015/16 WHITE FERNS v Sri Lanka
- 3 November ODI 1 Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
- 5 November ODI 2 Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
- 7 November ODI 3 Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
- 10 November ODI 4 Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
- 13 November ODI 5 Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- 15 November T20i 1 Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- 20 November T20i 2 Saxton Oval, Nelson
- 22 November T20i 3 Saxton Oval, Nelson
2015/16 WHITE FERNS v Australia
- 20 February 2016 ODI 1 Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
- 22 February 2016 ODI 2 Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
- 24 February 2016 ODI 3 Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
- 28 February 2016 T20i 1 Basin Reserve, Wellington
- 1 March 2016 T20i 2 Basin Reserve, Wellington
- 4 March 2016 T20i 3 Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
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