New Zealand will seek to put a decade of disappointment behind them when they chase victory in the Rose Bowl women's one-day international cricket series against Australia starting in Adelaide tomorrow.
Australia have retained the symbol of trans-Tasman bragging rights for nine consecutive seasons, despite several series being brutally fought contests.
Perhaps the best example came last summer when the series was drawn 2-2, New Zealand frustrated by the fifth and deciding match at Wellington being washed out. New Zealand had opened up a 2-0 lead in the series before letting Australia back in.
Coach Gary Stead takes charge again of a New Zealand team mixing experience and youth, with spinners Emma Campbell and Morna Nielsen yet to play a one-day international, along with batsman Morna Nielsen.
Another feature is the recall of Maria Fahey after a two-year layoff from international cricket due to illness while Rachel Priest and Lucy Doolan have not been selected because of injuries and rehabilitation.
Of the team who reached the final of the World Cup in Australia last summer, Sarah Tsukigawa is also unavailable while Suzie Bates will miss the one-day series because of commitments in the Australian women's National Basketball League.
Australia are missing injured captain Jodie Fields, who has been replaced as skipper by Alex Blackwell.
They must also overcome the retirement of the world class Karen Rolton for the series which features two matches at the Adelaide Oval followed by three matches in Melbourne.
The teams will also contest three one-day matches at Hobart from February 21-23, completing an intense series of matches.
Squads: New Zealand: Aimee Watkins (captain), Nicola Browne, Abby Burrows, Emma Campbell, Sophie Devine, Natalie Dodd, Maria Fahey, Victoria Lind, Sara McGlashan, Katey Martin, Morna Nielsen, Kate Pulford, Sian Ruck, Amy Satterthwaite.
Australia: Alex Blackwell, (captain), Shelley Nitschke, Sarah Andrews, Jessica Cameron, Lauren Ebsary, Sarah Elliott, Rene Farrell, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Julie Hunter, Erin Osborne, Ellyse Perry, Leah Poulton, Lisa Sthalekar NZPA WGT dg