Basking in the glow of New Zealand's victory in the CricInfo Women's World Cup last month, the country's leading provincial cricketers will start their annual competition for the State Insurance Cup this weekend.

While CLEAR White Ferns Debbie Hockley, Catherine Campbell and Katrina Keenan will be missing from the Canterbury team, two English players who stayed behind will lend some international quality to the competition.

Clare Taylor, the highly-regarded England right-arm pace bowler is to play for the Otago Sparks and her liaison in opening the bowling with White Fern Rachel Pullar will give the Sparks some much-needed bite.

A second English player, Charlotte Edwards, will play for State Northern Districts. While Taylor took 14 wickets during the Cup, at an average of 10.85 and at an economy rate of 2.37, Edwards disappointed after her first round century and while averaging 52.33 from her 157 runs, she was not selected for the side's last few games.

The first round of the home and away national league will see Northern Districts at home to play Central Districts at WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton in one-day games tomorrow and Sunday.

At the same time Otago will host the Auckland Hearts at University Oval.

On Monday and Tuesday, ND hosts Wellington in Hamilton while Canterbury plays Auckland at the Village Green in Christchurch.

The less well equipped teams from Otago and Northern Districts have the right to draft players from their respective neighbours Canterbury and Auckland.

The final of the competition will be played on February 10 at the home venue of the top qualifier.

Team summaries:

Auckland Hearts: The defending champion which is coached by Wally Stamp this year. The side has been bolstered by the transfer of fielding hotshot Helen Watson while off spinner Clare Nicholson's return will be welcomed after she missed last year's tournament due to injury. CLEAR White Ferns Emily Drumm, Kathryn Ramel and Rebecca Rolls, combined with the other two, give Auckland a formidable look.

Northern Districts: A pre-season tour to Australia organised by coach Cliff Dickeson gave this young side an early taste for action this year and with the boost that Charlotte Edwards will provide the side, there must be hope of the continued improvement of the ND side in its second season of competition.

Central Districts: Two more members of the White Ferns team Erin McDonald and Emily Travers will have a big role to play with their side. Former international Donna Trow returns to the team, which will be captained again by Megan Graham. The coach of the side is former CD spinner Paul Unwin.

Wellington: If Anna O'Leary can maintain the sort of batting form she showed during the CricInfo Women's World Cup, then Wellington will be a force to be reckoned with this year. Jane Hunter Siu's bowling and the all round skills of Francis King will complement her batting. O'Leary has been given the captaincy from Maia Lewis. Former international Julie Harris is coaching Wellington.

Canterbury: A significant gap has been left in the Canterbury ranks with the loss of Hockley, Campbell and Keenan. However, the depth in Canterbury will ensure some useful replacements are fielded, especially after Canterbury won the national under-21 tournament. Lisa Astle will captain the team and new caps include, Maria Fahey, Selena Charteris, Fiona Fraser and Sarah Burke, who all played in the under-21 team. Lindsay Thorn coaches the side.

Otago: Rachel Pullar has a big role to play with this side, in partnership with Taylor with the ball, but also with her batting which as was seen in the World Cup final, is more than useful. Otago coach Billy Ibadulla will also be looking for the development of young players Megan Kane, Elizabeth Scuff and Kirsten Spence.

Round 1 - Sat, 13 Jan Northern Districts v Central Districts, WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton. Sat 13 Jan Otago v Auckland, University Oval, Dunedin. Sun 14 Jan Northern Districts v Central Districts, WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton. Sun 14 Jan Otago v Auckland, University Oval, Dunedin Mon 15 Jan Canterbury v Auckland,Village Green, Christchurch. Mon 15 Jan Northern Districts v Wellington, WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton. Tue 16 Jan Canterbury v Auckland, Village Green, Christchurch. Tue 16 Jan Northern Districts v Wellington, WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton.

Round 2 - Sat 20 Jan Central Districts v Otago, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North. Sat 20 Jan Northern Districts v Auckland, Cobham Oval, Whangarei. Sat 20 Jan Wellington v Canterbury, Petone Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt. Sun 21 Jan Central Districts v Otago, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North. Sun 21 Jan Northern Districts v Auckland, Cobham Oval, Whangarei. Sun 21 Jan Wellington v Canterbury, Petone Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt. Mon 22 Jan Central Districts v Canterbury, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North. Mon 22 Jan Wellington v Otago, Petone Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt. Tue 23 Jan Central Districts v Canterbury, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North. Tue 23 Jan Wellington v Otago, Petone Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt.

Round 3 - Sat 27 Jan Canterbury v Otago, Village Green, Christchurch. Sat 27 Jan Central Districts v Wellington, Petone Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt. Sun 28 Jan Canterbury v Otago, Village Green, Christchurch. Sun 28 Jan Central Districts v Wellington, Petone Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt.

Round 4 - Sat 03 Feb Auckland v Wellington, Melville Park, Auckland. Sat 03 Feb Canterbury v Northern Districts, Dudley Park, Rangiora. Sun 04 Feb Auckland v Wellington, Melville Park, Auckland. Sun 04 Feb Canterbury v Northern Districts, Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Mon 05 Feb Auckland v Central Districts, Melville Park, Auckland. Mon 05 Feb Otago v Northern Districts, University Oval, Dunedin. Tue 06 Feb Auckland v Central Districts, Melville Park, Auckland. Tue 06 Feb Otago v Northern Districts, University Oval, Dunedin.

Final - Sat 10 Feb 1st v 2nd TBA

* Reserve day: Sun 11 Feb (Final)

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