Haynes well aware of Kiwi star power

With the conclusion of the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League still fresh in her memory, Rachael Haynes has confirmed Australia have gathered plenty of intel on their trans-Tasman rivals ahead of the upcoming Rose Bowl series.

New Zealand powerhouses Sophie Devine, Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu all had standout WBBL seasons alongside and against Australia squad members – a factor Haynes believes will keep both sides on their toes during the one-day series.

“We’ll certainly take some of the lessons that we’ve learned along the way about each other and I’m sure you’ll see some tactics come to life this series," Haynes said.

Satterthwaite and Tahuhu helped the Melbourne Renegades to their first ever semi-final, playing alongside Australia squad member Georgia Wareham.

And while the Adelaide Strikers didn’t have the same success as a team, Australia fast-bowler Megan Schutt was privy to some individual brilliance from Bates and Devine.

Big-hitting Devine finished the WBBL tournament with 556 runs, second only behind Ellyse Perry’s record of 777 and her 19 sixes were the most of any player. 

It was a similar story for Bates, who scored 421 runs for the season to make her the WBBL|04 fourth highest run scorer.

Another New Zealand squad member in action was Hayley Jensen, who joined Meg Lanning and Elyse Villani at the Perth Scorchers, while Katey Martin played two matches for the Melbourne Stars at the back-end of the season.

Haynes, while admitting the level of international influence makes it tricky to keep secrets, is adamant the influx of overseas players is positively impacting the competition.

“It’s two-fold, you learn a bit about them and they learn a bit about you,” the Australia vice-captain told cricket.com.au.

“The one thing it does, it pushes you to want to become a better player, particularly with the skill level that’s around at the moment.

“I had the pleasure of playing alongside Sophie Devine late last year over in England. She’s such a great player and she certainly taught me a couple of things and it probably gives you an appreciation as well for how skillful they are.”

Asked to identify the Kiwi threats the Aussies will be looking to restrain during the series, Haynes was quick to acknowledge the well-known talents of Bates, Devine and Satterthwaite.

A potential curve-ball, however, exists in 18-year-old Amelia Kerr.

“We’ve seen Amelia Kerr as well, a young leg-spinner who has played lots and lots of international cricket," Haynes said.

"She can turn the ball both ways so that’s a threat in any conditions.”

Making headlines across the world last June, Kerr produced one of the finest games of one-day cricket the world has seen against Ireland. 

Kerr produced a remarkable innings of 232no from 145 balls, before the leg-spinner proceeded to back it up with the ball and take 5-17 from seven overs.

“They’re a pretty competitive side and have played some good cricket against India as well recently at home," Haynes said

"We’re looking forward to them coming over to Australia and hopefully playing some good cricket."

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to India in the one-day international series earlier this month, a clean-sweep in the T20I series should see New Zealand travel to Australia full of confidence, with the first match at the WACA Ground in Perth on February 22.

The 2018-19 KFC BBL Final will be on Sunday Feb 17 at 2.45pm AEDT at Marvel Stadium. Tickets on sale here

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