A timely spell of fine weather provided a lift for the New Zealand women's cricket team at their final camp in Christchurch before November's CricInfo Women's World Cup.

The 18-strong CLEAR White Ferns squad spent three days at the High Performance Centre at Lincoln, which will be the base for the World Cup.

Coach Mike Shrimpton said the camp marked the end of the preparation phase for the side.

"We've done the slower, endurance distance-type build-up work and now we're working on the new exercise physiology work, which is to develop fitness, speed and agility," he said.

"It was good to get outside and have some nets after spending winter inside. The players enjoyed getting some sun on their backs.

"The practice pitches were fine, there was a little sideways movement but we enjoyed it," he said.

Over the next three weekends the side will start its match preparation with games against men's teams, including some New Zealand Cricket personnel, including general manager Tim Murdoch, operations manager and former international John Reid and national development manager Alec Astle.

On October 28-29 Possibles-Probables trial matches will be played at the World Cup venue and then will play three full One-Day Internationals against England.

Shrimpton was pleased with the fitness of the side and the dedication the players have shown in their build-up.

"A very good analogy to apply to this team is that of the New Zealand women's hockey team at the Olympic Games. Our players have made the same sorts of sacrifices as the hockey players.

"Kathryn Ramel gave up her job as a schoolteacher in order to prepare for the World Cup.

"I'm tremendously impressed with the level of commitment the players have shown.

"It is coming together very nicely," he said.

The CricInfo Women's World Cup starts on November 29 with a New Zealand-Australia game.

© CricInfo