Southern Stars v White Ferns: All You Need to Know

Fixtures

The three-match T20 series kicks off at the MCG in Melbourne this Friday, February 17, ahead of matches at Geelong’s Kardinia Park (February 19) and Adelaide Oval (February 22).

All three matches are double-headers with the men’s KFC T20 INTL series between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Quick Single: Australia v Sri Lanka - All You Need to Know

From there, both teams hop on a plane across the Tasman to Auckland, where the first of three one-day internationals will be played on February 26.

The final two ODIs will be played in the picturesque north island holiday town of Mount Maunganui, on March 2 and 5.

Australia v New Zealand T20s

February 17: MCG, Melbourne, 2.05pm AEDT

February 19: Kardinia Park, Geelong, 2.35pm AEDT

February 22: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 2.05pm AEDT

Australia v New Zealand ODIs

February 26: Eden Park No.2, Auckland, 9am AEDT

March 2: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 9am AEDT 

March 5: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 9am AEDT

What's at stake?

Australia will be eager to get one over their local rivals in the T20 arena, having lost last year’s 20-over series against the White Ferns 2-1, before again losing to the Kiwis in their group stage clash at the World T20 in India.

But the Southern Stars are the current holders of the one-day trophy contested between the sides – the Rose Bowl – after beating New Zealand 2-1 early last year, and will be eager to continue their 17-year grip on the silverware, having won every 50-over against the Kiwis since 2000.

Teams

Australia

Uncapped trio Ashleigh Gardner, Molly Strano and Sarah Aley are in line to make their international debuts after being included in the Southern Stars squad.

But Australia have been dealt a significant blow, with superstar allrounder Ellyse Perry ruled out of the T20s due to a hamstring injury she suffered on the eve of the Rebel Women’s Big Bash finals, although it is hoped she’ll return for the ODIs.

Aley was a late inclusion to the squad, brought in as cover for left-arm quick Lauren Cheatle, who suffered a right-shoulder injury at training and will likely miss the first T20.

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Sarah Aley (T20 only) Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell, Nicole Bolton (ODI only), Lauren Cheatle, Rene Farrell, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry (ODI only, pending fitness), Megan Schutt, Molly Strano (T20 only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

New Zealand

The White Ferns have also been hit by injury, with Sophie Devine ruled out of all six matches due to a dislocated thumb sustained during the WBBL. Off-spinner Morna Nielsen, who struggled to have the same impact for the Melbourne Stars that she managed in WBBL|01, was omitted from the White Ferns squad, alongside pace bowler Hannah Rowe.

Off-spinner Leigh Kasperek returns having recovered from the broken spinning finger that kept her out of series against South Africa and Pakistan late last year, while teenage leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, 16, has been named in the ODI squad after an impressive international debut against Pakistan in November.

New Zealand squad:  Suzie Bates (captain), Erin Bermingham, Samantha Curtis (ODIs only), Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr (ODIs only),  Katey Martin, Thamsyn Newton, Katie Perkins, Liz Perry, Anna Peterson (T20s only), Rachel Priest, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu

Form

Australia (most recent game last): WWWWWWWWTW

The world No.1 ranked Australians enter the series having been tested by South Africa in their most recent one-day series last November, winning one match on the final ball before tying another amid three easier victories, and will be expecting a very tough contest from their close rivals.

New Zealand (most recent game last): WWLWWWWWWW

New Zealand were outstanding against Pakistan in their ODI series in November, romping to a 5-nil series whitewash against their seventh-ranked opponents before also winning the sole T20. During that series, Amy Satterthwaite became the first woman to score three consecutive ODI centuries.

Last time they met

Australia suffered a humbling six-wicket defeat to New Zealand in their key World T20 showdown in Nagpur last March. The Southern Stars were defending 8-103 after the White Ferns spinners tore through their top order, before New Zealand, led by Suzie Bates and Rachel Priest, chased the total in just 16.2 overs.

Overall, Australia and New Zealand have met 119 times in ODIs, with the Southern Stars winning 87 of those, the White Ferns 30 while two finished with no result.

In T20s, the ledger stands at 17-14 in New Zealand’s favour after 32 matches, with one tie.

Players to watch

Ashleigh Gardner

Allrounder Gardner dominated at No.3 with the bat for the Sixers during WBBL|02, scoring 414 runs at 27.60 while also picking up 10 wickets with her off-spinners. That resulted in a maiden international call-up for the 19-year-old, who will become the first Indigenous woman to debut for Australia since Faith Thomas in 1958 if she plays.

Beth Mooney

Mooney had an outstanding WBBL|02 campaign, named player of the tournament after finishing second in the run scoring with 482 at 43.81. She provided the power at the top of the order for the Brisbane Heat and she’ll be looking to continue that explosiveness at international level.

Amy Satterthwaite

Allrounder Satterthwaite became the first woman to score three consecutive ODI tons late last year and she continued that form for the Hobart Hurricanes in WBBL|02, with some starring knocks before she took the only hat-trick of the season.

Leigh Kasperek

Scottish-born off-spinner Kasperek has an outstanding record against the Southern Stars in her short international career to date, having taken 4-7, 3-26 and 3-13 the three times she’s played Australia in T20s. She missed New Zealand’s series against South Africa and Pakistan late last year due to a broken spinning finger and will be determined to cause more destruction against the Australians in her return.

The bigger picture

The T20 and ODIs series are the last international matches Australia and New Zealand will play before they head to the ICC Women’s World Cup in June. Australia told the title as 50-over world champions and these matches present a crucial chance for players to push their cases for selection and for the both teams to iron out any issues as they look ahead to the tournament in England.

How to follow 

ATTEND: Tickets for the three T20 double headers can be purchased HERE, starting $30 for adults while kids are free.

WATCH:  All three T20 matches in Australia will be broadcast live and free on Nine’s Wide World Of Sports or at cricket.com.au and via the Cricket Australia Live app with a Live Pass.

FOLLOW: @SouthernStars on Twitter, @southernstars on Instagram, Facebook.com/southernstars