da aviator aposta： New Zealand’s selectors have named a full-strength White Ferns side to play the first three matches in the six-match Rosebowl Series against Australia in February
Wisden Cricinfo staff27-Jan-2004New Zealand’s selectors have named a full-strength WhiteFerns side to play the first three matches in the six-matchRosebowl Series against Australia in February. Emily Drumm, a batsman, and Rebecca Rolls, a wicketkeeper-batsman,return to the side after being unavailable for the tour toIndia late last year. Their return has intensified thepressure on all positions in the team.The only new cap is the 21-year-old all-rounder, Beth McNeill,who has performed consistently for the State CanterburyMagicians in this season’s State League competition, taking16 wickets to date.Her fellow State Canterbury Magician, Maria Fahey, will open thebatting with Rolls. She had an outstanding tour of India,averaging 52.25 in the one-day internationals. Faheyclaims the opening slot ahead of former White Fern, Kate Pulford.Also returning to the side is pace bowler, Sarah Burke (StateCanterbury Magicians), who previously played one match forthe White Ferns – as a replacement player in last season’sWorld Series quadrangular tournament. Burke has so farclaimed 15 State League wickets.Drumm and Rolls return to the side bolstered by impressivebatting performances for the State Auckland Hearts in theState League. Rolls was top scorer in the League round-robin,with 439 runs, and Drumm was third, with 299 runs.Other players missing from the White Ferns team to India areAnna Corbin, Natalie Scripps, Katey Martin and SaraMcGlashan. All four, plus Pulford, have been named in the NewZealand A side.Another Indian tourist, Michelle Lynch, was unavailable foreither side.Mike Shrimpton, the coach and convenor of selectors, said that thepressure on all players to hold their positions was anencouraging sign for the women’s game. “With top-line playersall working to consolidate their places, and those in the Aside all pushing hard to make the step up, the intensity hasgone up a notch. It should make for an exciting season ofwomen’s cricket.”This season’s Rosebowl Series comprises three home games and three games in Australia. All three matches in the New Zealand leg of the series will be played at North Island venues.The selectors will re-name the side following the home leg ofthe Rosebowl and the completion of the New Zealand A series, a seven-match series for which the selectors named 13 players. In addition to the former White Ferns, the A side featuresthree New Zealand Cricket Academy graduates from 2003 – KateyMartin, Ros Kember and Sarah Tsukigawa.The side has a mix of youth and experience, with three formerinternationals – Helen Daly (State Canterbury Magicians),Paula Flannery (State Otago Sparks) and Helen Watson (StateAuckland Hearts) – all pushing to make a comeback at the toplevel. Watson will be remembered for her matchwinningfielding during the 2000 women’s world cup tournament, won byNew Zealand.Squads
White Ferns Maia Lewis (capt), Haidee Tiffen, Nicola Browne, Sarah Burke, Emily Drumm, Maria Fahey, Amanda Green, Beth McNeill, Aimee Mason, Louise Milliken, Rebecca Rolls (wk), Rebecca Steele.New Zealand A Anna Corbin (capt), Paula Flannery, Amanda Cooper, Helen Daly, Sarah Hill, Ros Kember, Amber Little, Sara McGlashan, Katey Martin, Kate Pulford, Natalee Scripps, Sarah Tsukigawa, Helen Watson.