Stars set for White Ferns showdown

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will take their Women’s World T20 preparations across the Tasman early next year.

The Southern Stars will meet the White Ferns in three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals next February, New Zealand Cricket announced on Wednesday.

At stake in the ODI series will be the Rose Bowl, which has been held by the Southern Stars for the last 16 years.

The three ODIs will be played in Mt Maunganui, before T20s in Wellington and New Plymouth. 

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates said facing Australia was "as good as it gets".

“When its New Zealand against Australia there is always something special about it, particularly at home,” said Bates.

“No one in our team has ever won the Rose Bowl but that only increases our hunger. We’ll be desperate to win.”

The tour of New Zealand will be a crucial warm-up for the Southern Stars as they prepare to defend their title at the World T20 in India in March.

It will follow the Stars’ home series against India – which will include three ODIs in Canberra and Hobart and T20s in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney – early next year.

Australia won the last ODI series against New Zealand in 2012, and the last time the White Ferns claimed the coveted Rose Bowl was in 1999.

Image Id: ~/media/5C9A417550BE467FB7D7623201D381F3

Southern Stars pose with the Rose Bowl in 2012 // Getty Images

The White Ferns will also play a maiden home series against Sri Lanka, featuring five ODIs and three T20s.

White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen said Australia presented “the ultimate challenge”.

 “It’s a big summer for us, which promises some fantastic matches,” Tiffen said.

“To have 14 days of international cricket at home is really exciting and to be playing in five different regions makes it even better.

“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.

“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.

 “We’re already looking forward to the start of the summer.”

Southern Stars tour of New Zealand

Feb 20: First ODI v White Ferns, Mt Maunganui (Bay Oval)

Feb 22: Second ODI v White Ferns, Mt Maunganui (Bay Oval)

Feb 24: Third ODI v White Ferns, Mt Maunganui (Bay Oval)

Feb 28: First T20 v White Ferns, Wellington (Basin Reserve)

Mar 1: Second T20 v White Ferns, Wellington (Basin Reserve)

Mar 4: Third T20 v White Ferns, New Plymouth (Pukekura Park)