Cricket: Kiwi women gain inspiration to win T20 series in India from fabulous feats of men's side

Captain Suzie Bates. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's women cricketers drew inspiration from the approach of their male counterparts as they won their first limited-overs series in India this month.

The White Ferns arrived home yesterday after beating India 2-1 in their T20 series in Bangalore, having lost the ODI rubber 3-2.

The T20 wins featured big hitting from Sophie Devine and Rachel Priest, who rattled up the fastest (18 balls) and equal second fastest (22 balls) T20 50s in the women's game.

Captain Suzie Bates said having "mucked around" at the crease at stages during the ODI series, there was a desire to play an exciting brand of cricket, not dissimilar to the style adopted by Brendon McCullum's men before, during and since the men's World Cup this year.

"We did talk about the Black Caps and the way they play with absolute confidence," Bates said. "In trying to find our own style of cricket they were definitely an inspiration. We talked about Brendon and how he goes out and backs his game, and some days it comes off, some days it doesn't, but they live with it as a team.

"Rachel and Sophie showed we have players to do it so that was exciting. The girls did enjoy watching them bully the opposition and smash the ball around the park.

"I know it gave the girls real confidence that if we continue to play that style and back it we can be contenders for the World Cup."

That's the women's T20 World Cup which is being staged in India, in conjunction with the men's corresponding tournament next year. In winning two of the first three ODIs, New Zealand picked up important points on the International Cricket Council's table, which go towards 2017 50-over World Cup qualification.

Only the first three games in any series count and the top eight countries have to play each other by early 2017. Sri Lanka are next on New Zealand's list in the coming home summer.

Along with that, several New Zealand players are expected to be contracted for the women's Big Bash in Australia. No names have been released but expect Bates, Devine and Priest to be among them.