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
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