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Stars out to continue stranglehold over NZ

Australia determined to maintain their 17-year run of success against the White Ferns

The desire to continue a 17-year winning streak is driving the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in their three-match one-day international series against New Zealand.

Australia have not lost the Rose Bowl – the trophy award for ODI series between the trans-Tasman rivals – to the White Ferns since 1999.

The White Ferns v Southern Stars first ODI will be live streamed on cricket.com.au from 9am AEDT

Just one year later, a team led by Belinda Clark and featuring Australian greats Karen Rolton and Cathryn Fitzpatrick recaptured the coveted prize, and Australia have been undefeated in the 14 series between the fierce rivals since.

Last year, the Southern Stars were on the back foot after suffering a nine-run defeat in an ODI against New Zealand in Wellington, before back-to-back centuries from skipper Meg Lanning at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval ended the White Ferns’ hopes of a series win.

This year, Australia go in under plenty of pressure having suffered a heavy 47-run T20I loss to the White Ferns in Adelaide just last Wednesday, while they will be without vice-captain Alex Blackwell and allrounder Ellyse Perry for the opening Rose Bowl match at Auckland’s Eden Park on Sunday.

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“We are really determined to keep it, that’s something we talk about,” Lanning told cricket.com.au.

“We’ve had a hold of it for a number of years and we don’t want to let that go.

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“This is a particularly important series for us because there aren’t many games left before the World Cup, so it’s important we play well and put everything into it.

"The carrot of the Rose Bowl at the end is very important to us.”

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While Australia’s T20I record against New Zealand has been patchy in recent years, having lost five of their last seven matches to the White Ferns – their results in the 50-over format have been much stronger, having won 18 of their last 20 completed encounters.

While the Southern Stars won’t be taking a strong New Zealand line-up led by 2016 ODI player of the year Suzie Bates lightly, wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy is confident her team can keep the winning streak alive.

“We don’t want to be the team that lets that slide,” Healy told cricket.com.au.

“To hold it for 17 years is pretty important.

“They’ve got a good team and it’ll be a great battle, but I think we’ve got the team to do it.”

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Australia could field one debutant when the series opener gets underway on Sunday, with allrounder Ashleigh Gardiner, who made her T20 debut in Melbourne earlier last month, a strong chance to add a maiden ODI cap to her collection.

NSW batter Rachael Haynes is also set to play her first ODI since 2013 after being called in as cover for Blackwell, who will miss the series opener.

New Zealand have also been forced to make one change to their squad after Maddy Green broke a finger during the T20 decider in Adelaide, with allrounder Anna Peterson – who took a hat-trick to lead the White Ferns to victory in Geelong – winning a place in the 50-over squad.

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