New Zealand Series Preview

England Women have arrived in New Zealand for a five-match one-day series following their success in Australia. England drew their ODI series against Australia, currently the best side in world cricket and won the one-off Test match at The Bradman Oval. It was the first time England had won an ODI in Australia since 1988 and the first time they had won a Test series down under since 1934.

After a celebratory evening post Ashes, attentions soon had to turn back to the one-day game as England headed to Christchurch to play their first ODI less than a week after they had completed their Ashes success.

Vice-captain Nicky Shaw is really confident they can continue their winning form into the New Zealand series and return to England on the back of the most successful overseas winter tour for England.

“We’re obviously really pleased with our performances in Australia and we head into this series against New Zealand with great confidence.

“We’ll take a lot from what we learnt in Australia and use that to our advantage as we take on New Zealand. We’re looking to continue to make partnerships with both our batting and bowling in order to be successful as a one-day team. We need to continue to make those partnerships consistent.

“We’ve just drawn an ODI series with the number one team in the world and we also beat them to retain the Ashes, so our confidence is definitely running high. We won’t be taking anything for granted though because New Zealand are a quality team especially in their own back yard.”

New Zealand toured England last summer and although they lost the NatWest Women’s International Twenty20 series 2-1, the tourists took the NatWest Women’s Series 3-2. They had the series wrapped up at the third NatWest Women’s ODI in Blackpool and England had to come back and win the last two games.

“They were a strong side in the summer,” continued Shaw “and they have some quality players. Some of our girls rate Aimee Mason who won the NatWest Player of the Series Award in 2007, but I don’t think anyone can be underestimated in international cricket. We’re here to concentrate on our game as that’s the only thing we can control.”

The teams play all five matches at The Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln University and they start on Sunday February 24.

“The pitches in New Zealand are different to the ones we have been playing on in Australia, but we’ll adapt to that. Over here the pitches are very hard and I think the batters will reap the benefits rather than the bowlers. But I think the way our bowlers performed in the Ashes Test match and the ODI series in Australia stands us in good stead going into this series.”

England also have the benefit of having Katherine Brunt back in their squad. Brunt had a severe back injury which kept her out of the game for 15 months, but she has now made a full recovery and will return as strike bowler for the visitors in New Zealand. She made her return in the warm-up game against New Zealand A and took one wicket as she opened the bowling.

“I think the whole team is really excited to have Nunny (Katherine) back. She makes a huge contribution off the field as well as on. Her experience and ability will be vital in this series and I can’t wait to get back to bowling with her again. I know the rest of the team feel the same way and we can’t wait to get back on the field with her as part of our outfit.”

Brunt added, “It’s great to be back involved in cricket again and amongst the girls on tour. I’ve been waiting for 15 months to put my shirt back on and get stuck into the opposition and I can’t wait for the series to start and get bowling again.”

England will play the five one-day internationals in the space of 12 days, before leaving for the UK on March 5. The pressure is on for them to continue their winning streak and return to England with a successful New Zealand behind them.

“We’re keen to make this the most successful winter tour,” finished Shaw. “In order to do that we need to perform well against New Zealand and we have no intentions of taking our feet off the gas. It’s going to be a tough final leg of the tour, but we’re well-prepared.”