Stars to cross Tasman for Cup warm-up

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will take their Women’s World Cup preparations across the Tasman early next year.

Australia will meet the White Ferns in three one-day internationals next February and March, New Zealand Cricket announced on Thursday.

At stake in the ODI series will be the Rose Bowl, which has been held by the Southern Stars for the last 17 years.

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For both Australia and New Zealand, the series will also be a crucial hit-out in the 50-over game ahead of next year's World Cup, to be held in the United Kingdom from late June.

The three ODIs will be played in Auckland (February 26) and Mt Maunganui (March 2 and 5).

Image Id: ~/media/5332F58CE27B423A9576A2349C174172 Image Caption: Meg Lanning starred in New Zealand earlier this year // Getty

It will be the first time Auckland has hosted a women’s ODI since Belinda Clark’s Australia defeated New Zealand by 78 runs during the summer of 2003-04.

The tour of New Zealand will follow the Stars’ home T20 series against the White Ferns in mid-February – which will include three T20s played as double headers alongside the Australian men in Melbourne (February 17), Geelong (February 19) and Adelaide (February 22).

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Australia claimed a 2-1 ODI series victory over New Zealand earlier this year, powered by twin Meg Lanning centuries.

The last time the White Ferns claimed the coveted Rose Bowl was in 1999, but New Zealand claimed bragging rights in the most recent meeting between the teams, romping to a six-wicket win during the group stage of the World T20 in India. 

The White Ferns will also host Pakistan in November, in a series featuring five ODIs and one T20.

Australia also have a busy summer ahead, with a five-match ODI series against South Africa scheduled to be played in November, ahead of the second edition of the Women's Big Bash League.

Southern Stars tour of New Zealand

26 February: First ODI v White Ferns, Auckland (Eden Park No.2 Oval)

2 March: Second ODI v White Ferns, Mt Maunganui (Bay Oval)

5 March: Third ODI v White Ferns, Mt Maunganui (Bay Oval)

Southern Stars v South Africa ODIs

18 November: Manuka Oval, Canberra

20 November: Manuka Oval, Canberra

23 November: North Sydney Oval, Sydney

27 November: Coffs Harbour International Stadium, Coffs Harbour

29 November: Coffs Harbour International Stadium, Coffs Harbour

Southern Stars v New Zealand T20s

17 February: MCG, Melbourne

19 February: Kardinia Park, Geelong

22 February: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

New Zealand v Pakistan

9 November: First ODI, Lincoln (Bert Sutcliffe Oval)

11 November: Second ODI, Lincoln (Bert Sutcliffe Oval)

13 November: Third ODI, Lincoln (Bert Sutcliffe Oval)

17 November: Fourth ODI, Nelson (Saxton Oval)

19 November: Fifth ODI, Nelson (Saxton Oval)

21 November: First T20, Nelson (Saxton Oval)