The White Ferns showed off their musical and cultural side as they landed at Dunedin Airport yesterday afternoon.
The team was welcomed, along with the England squad, off their flight from Christchurch by the Otago Boys’ and Otago Girls’ High School kapa haka group Te Wairua Puhou.
In response they performed a waiata of their own for the first time, led by spinning all-rounder Amelia Kerr on guitar.
Come tomorrow, cricket will be the main focus: the White Ferns will face England in their second one-day international, at the University of Otago Oval, and again on Sunday.
But captain Sophie Devine said the cultural aspect was something the team was looking to embrace.
After receiving a similar welcome in Dunedin a year ago, before a match against South Africa which was rained off, the team had decided it would be good to respond.
That would become a key part of the side for the future, particularly as it looked to showcase New Zealand culture with a home World Cup next year.
"It’s something we’re all piecing together as part of our culture, our identity within the team," Devine said.
"It’s a really important thing we want to connect with our Maori culture.
"What better way to showcase that than with a welcome like that to be able to respond.
"So I’m really proud of the girls. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely something we’re proud of.
"We’re working hard on it, making it a really key part of our team."
Devine said the team had been disappointed in its first-up performance against England on Tuesday at Hagley Oval.
The side was beaten by eight wickets, being bowled out for 178.
Both Otago Spark Hayley Jensen and debutant Brooke Halliday posted half-centuries, although no-one else passed 20 runs.
That allowed England
to make light work of
the chase, as Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight scored 71 and 67 not out respectively.
Keeping wickets intact would be key as the White Ferns looked to square the series tomorrow.
"I think for us it’s building partnerships with both bat and ball," Devine said.
"On Tuesday night we didn’t score enough runs.
"The English used great tempo through their batting innings to knock it off.
"So for us we know we have to stick at it for longer periods more consistently."
The White Ferns will be without Lea Tahuhu for the remainder of the series.
The opening bowler suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s game and is set to have an MRI scan.
Tahuhu has been replaced by Canterbury Magicians seamer Gabby Sullivan.
Both matches begin at 11am.
