Women’s cricket in New Zealand is set to break more new ground this summer, with the announcement of an eight-game tour by the West Indies next March, and an increased broadcast schedule.
The WHITE FERNS will host the World T20 Champions in three One Day Internationals in Christchurch as part of the ICC Women’s Championship (IWC), before a five-game Twenty20 International series in the North Island.
"It's a great time to be a female cricketer"
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) October 19, 2017
The WHITE FERNS are gearing up for a big summer of cricket! #westindiestour #homesummer pic.twitter.com/JmaOohP72k
SKY will live broadcast two of the marquee matches and NZC CEO David White has heralded the tour as another important step in the evolution of the women’s game in New Zealand.
“There’s no doubt that women’s cricket is on a roll at the moment,” said Mr White. “We’re really keen to build on the momentum created by July’s very successful ICC Women’s World Cup in England.
“It’s great to have SKY on board for two games and I’m sure the production will be just as eye-catching as this year’s dramatic Rose Bowl clash at the Eden Park Outer Oval - a game which had an average audience of 31,000 fans.
“It’s widely acknowledged that the standard of women’s cricket is the best it’s ever been and so we’re thrilled to be able to showcase our elite women’s players competing on the world stage in our own backyard.
Women's cricket in NZ is set to break more ground this summer ... 8-game tour by the West Indies + increased broadcast schedule 👌 #NZvWI pic.twitter.com/k0X1ASZbUx
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) October 19, 2017
“With the Women’s World Cup being hosted here in New Zealand in 2021, it’s important we start building the momentum behind Suzie Bates and the team.”
SKY Director of Sport Richard Last said SKY Sport was delighted to be showing increased live coverage of the WHITE FERNS.
“The popularity of this year’s coverage of the ICC Women’s World Cup and Women’s Rugby World Cup is testament to the growth of women’s sport in New Zealand, and we’re proud to be playing our part. Go the White Ferns!”
The eight-game tour will kick-start a big year for the WHITE FERNS, with a tour to England in the mid-year before the World T20 in the West Indies in November.
Fans will be able to watch all WHITE FERNS games either on SKY or via live stream at nzc.nz
Head coach Haidee Tiffen said it was exciting to see the women’s programme continuing to fill up with competitive cricket.
“If we want to keep up with the elite side’s internationally, we have to be playing top cricket on a regular basis and in different conditions,” said Tiffen.
“The West Indies will provide a stern challenge across both formats. They aren’t the World T20 Champions for no reason - they’ve got plenty of power and have match-winners throughout their line-up.
“We’re currently preparing for our inaugural tour to the UAE to take on Pakistan - so there’s plenty of new ground being broken in women’s cricket in this country. It’s an exciting time to be involved.”
West Indies tour schedule
1st ODI - 04 March 11am, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University, Live stream at nzc.nz
2nd ODI - 08 March 11am, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University, Live stream at nzc.nz
3rd ODI - 11 March 11am, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Live on SKY Sport
1st T20I - 14 March 2pm, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, Live stream at nzc.nz
2nd T20I - 16 March 7pm, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, Live on SKY Sport
3rd T20I - 20 March 2pm, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Live stream at nzc.nz
4th T20I - 22 March 2pm, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, Live stream at nzc.nz
5th T20I - 25 March 2pm, Seddon Park, Hamilton, Live stream at nzc.nz
