Kiwis out to break drought in Australia

Australia's lengthy winning streak has provided a healthy topic of conversation in the lead-up to the Rose Bowl series against New Zealand, but those on the inside are playing down the significance of the record and ramping up the rivalry. 

New Zealand's last success in an ODI series against Australia came in 1999, Australia wrangling the trophy back one year later and keeping a firm stranglehold on it ever since. 

Despite the lopsided nature of the record, both camps insist each new ball brings a clean slate, and the competition is always fierce.  

In fact - rather than dwelling on the losing streak – New Zealand captain Amy Satterthwaite says the prospect of being the ones to finally swing the coveted trophy back across the ditch only creates more fire in the belly. 

"It just makes us that extra bit competitive," said Satterthwaite on the eve of the opener at the WACA Ground in Perth on Friday. 

"We haven't won it for a while but that adds the extra special factor to it, that if we could be the team to get up and win it, it would be pretty exciting."

On the other hand, Australia skipper Meg Lanning shut down any suggestion of added pressure to keep the two-decade strong streak alive. 

"It's not something we're really spoken about to be honest," said Lanning.  

"We know both sides match up really closely and a lot of those series it's been 1-all and we've been able to win the last game so it hasn't been easy series at all."

Kiwi powerhouse Sophie Devine echoed that sentiment, noting that at surface level the record may read in complete favour of Australia, a closer look reveals some tight tussles. 

"I think we've been really close in the past and that's something we're really holding on to," Devine said.

The most recent instalment of the Rose Bowl Series in 2016/17 saw the series in the balance after the first two matches. 

As it were, a century from Lanning ended up lifting Australia to a 2-1 series win.

And while New Zealand have shown mixed results in the one-day format of late, suffering a 2-1 series loss to India at home, they will be bolstered by the 3-0 T20I clean sweep of India that followed shortly after. 

"We're coming off the back of a bit of a momentum against the Indian side," said Devine. 

"We've played a lot of cricket together over the last couple of weeks and I think that's going to hold us in really good stead."

New Zealand have every reason to enter the series brimming with confidence. 

With plenty of pace and bounce expected on the traditional WACA strip, fast bowler Lea Tahuhu is emerging as their key to nullifying the formidable Australian top-order. 

"I think without doubt Lea Tahuhu is the quickest bowler in the women's game at the moment," said Devine. 

"I'm actually a little bit worried about Lea Tahuhu in the nets. She's absolutely licking her lips to get in here and charge in."

Eighteen-year-old Amelia Kerr is another player who has proved her ability to turn the game in her favour, and one the White Ferns are thrilled to have up their sleeve. 

"She's been phenomenal for us with the ball and she's only going to continue to get better and better with the bat," Satterthwaite said. 

"Awesome to say we've got her in our team and she's managed to produce some good performance against Australia in the past so hopefully she can continue to do that this series."

Giving even more reason to believe the White Ferns are set to come out firing tomorrow, Devine was quick to reference the "healthy banter" between the two sides brought about by the Rebel Women's Big Bash League. 

"I think the quality of cricket has helped the international game but as well playing alongside your mates it makes for some interesting conversations on the field," she said.

"We know they've got a lot of threats throughout their team, but for us it's about focusing on what we can do well as a side. We know if we play our best, we're going to run them right until the end."

CommBank ODIs v NZ 

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Georgia Wareham

New Zealand squad: Amy Satterthwaite (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

February 22: First ODI, WACA Ground, Perth

February 24: Second ODI, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

March 3: Third ODI, Junction Oval, Melbourne