Ten wins from 12 One-Day Internationals in two countries: the WHITE FERNS have started 2016/17 with an 83 per cent win record, right up there in All Blacks territory.
One-Dayers are the format that counts the most at the moment, all the world’s teams building up to the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup that will take place in England and Wales from June. Only four teams have won direct entry — Australia, England, the WHITE FERNS and, most recently, the West Indies who have just cemented the fourth spot.
Suzie Bates leads the WHITE FERNS from the field. Image: www.photosport.nz
The WHITE FERNS’ ODI run was capped off by a gutsy T20 win against Pakistan where they had to show their best to get out of a low-scoring match. The result? A perfect record against a much-improved Pakistan, both in the tour and throughout history.
Now the players have dispersed to get ready for both the New Zealand women’s domestic season — which starts in Whangarei, New Plymouth and Wellington this Friday with the first round of T20, then One-Dayers on the weekend — with trips in between over to the Women’s BBL 02 in Australia for the stars.
TOUR STATCHAT
There were a ton of positives for New Zealand across the board — the bowling, batting, keeping and captaincy depth all strengthened ahead of the World Cup, but one of the biggest plus points was seeing so many strong 50-partnerships.
Ten partnerships of 50-plus equalled the world record for the most in a women’s bilateral series. Australia previously held the mark against the WHITE FERNS in 2004, when Karen Rolton was at the apex of her form. The previous most for the WHITE FERNS was nine, against India in 2005/06, so this is no common feat.
Amy Satterthwaite plays through the offside. Image: www.photosport.nz
And, for the second summer in a row, the WHITE FERNS were unbeaten in an international series.
MOST RUNS
- Amy Satterthwaite. 393 ODI runs at a sky-high average of 196.50. Also topped the batting strike rates with 118.73. Three centuries, two of them unbeaten, in three innings back to back, didn’t bother with mere fifties. Hit 47 boundaries. Took six catches, too.
- Suzie Bates. 236 ODI runs at an average of 59 for the captain, 34 boundaries and a strike rate of 107.27. Sophie Devine was the third Kiwi to score at faster than a run a ball, but had to settle for just the one half century in this Series as she eases her way back, while Bates carried on from where she had left off in South Africa and made three.
- Katey Martin. 136 runs for the number four at a 136 average after three red-inkers. Strike rate above 91, and two half-centuries continuing her red-hot streak of fifties from South Africa. Some classic stands with Satterthwaite in the mix!
Suzie Bates. Image: www.photosport.nz
MOST WICKETS
- Thamsyn Newton in just her second season with the team comes out on top with seven wickets at 14.57
Amelia Kerr, in her maiden Series, six wicket at 20.00 including 4-42. - Lea Tahuhu, six wickets at 22.33, stepped up and led the attack ever time the team needed her most. Searing opening spell helped save the T20, too.
- Amy Satterthwaite, six wickets at 26 — and some spectacular catches across the Series
Thamsyn Newton celebrates a wicket. Image: www.photosport.nz
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
- Amy Satterthwaite becoming the first person to score three hundreds in a Women’s ODI Series AND scoring the fourth biggest ODI century in WHITE FERNS history
- Thamsyn Newton’s maiden ODI five-wicket bag
- Amelia Kerr making her ODI debut at 16 and whipping out her variations first match!
- Kerr again, making her T20 International debut and taking a maiden wicket with just her fourth ball, and three for the match
- The New Zealand record 150 runs for the third wicket between Satterthwaite and Katey Martin, eclipsing the mark of 138 set by Debbie Hockley and Maia Lewis against Australia in 1996/97
- Amy Satterthwaite’s catching — especially a one-handed screamer at slip in the first ODI, which she took behind her to dismiss Bismah Maroof
- Sam Curtis claiming her maiden ODI 50
- Holly Huddleston’s 4-20
- Suzie Bates equalling Emily Drumm’s New Zealand record of 28 ODI wins as captain
Qualifying for the World Cup!
Amy Satterthwaite and Suzie Bates talk tactics. Image: www.photosport.nz
