Ferns set to win first Rose Bowl Series since 1999

Anna Peterson says she expects the Australians to be fired up when they resume their Rose Bowl Series contest. Photo/Photosport

The White Ferns have two matches at Bay Oval this week to right a sporting wrong against Australia.

The Rose Bowl ODI series played between the women's cricket teams of the transtasman rivals was last won by the New Zealanders back in February, 1999.

Now after Sunday's opening victory at Eden Park the White Ferns have two chances tomorrow and Sunday to win the Rose Bowl and end 17 years of Australian dominance.

The historical significance of the win last Sunday is not lost on the White Ferns players.

Anna Peterson, 26, who went to school at St Mary's Primary School and Aquinas College, says the team is not getting too hyped up about it.

"We are fully aware of the significance but we had a good chat about it and we don't want that pressure to kind of take over our plans and stuff like that," Peterson said.

"We also had a good chat from Emily Drumm who spoke to us and gave us some things to work on. So we are aware of it but we have plans in place to make sure we just go back to what we need to do which is execute with the bat and ball."

Peterson is expecting nothing less than a fired-up Australian team desperate not to be the group of players who lost the Rose Bowl.

"They are not going to take this lying down. We are expecting them to come back firing just like typical Aussies and be nice and verbal. We are ready for it and we are definitely up for it."

White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen knows all about Rose Bowl pressure after a career spanning 117 ODIs for her country.

"Look, it is very important. We are under no illusions this Rose Bowl means a lot to both New Zealand and Australia. There is a wonderful history with some great battles," she said.

"But we are back to zero now and it is a new day which provides opportunities for people. It is just focusing on what we need to do, not getting too ahead of ourselves.

"As a unit we are confident in our ability and confident in each other. We are trying to focus on executing our roles and our game plan."

Amy Satterthwaite was the batting star in the win over Australia at Eden Park, scoring her fourth consecutive ODI century.

It is the first occasion a women's player has managed the feat and matches that of Sri Lankan men's player Kumar Sangakkara.

Tiffen said the Sri Lankan great messaged Satterthwaite his congratulations this week.
"It was really nice of him to acknowledge Amy's success and achievement alongside him and she was really chuffed to receive that and honoured as well."

For Peterson it is a homecoming to Tauranga she is excited about.

"It is going to be great. I played here against England last. I've got family coming down as well as family friends and people I grew up with," she said.

"Even old teachers have said they are bringing the kids from school down. It is going to be great and I'm really looking forward to it."

Rose Bowl Series
White Ferns v Australia
Bay Oval, Thursday and Sunday, 11am start, free entry.