TelstraClear White Ferns seek to dominate Northern Hemisphere rivals
New Zealand Cricket - 20 June 2002

The TelstraClear White Ferns are aiming to assert their dominance over their Northern Hemisphere rivals during their four-week tour of The Netherlands, Ireland and England.

The team flies out tomorrow for The Netherlands where it will play the first of three One-Day Internationals against the Dutch on June 25.

"Historically the Dutch have not been a strong force in international women's cricket and we are confident that, if we play well, we will take the series three-nil," said Emily Drumm, captain of the TelstraClear White Ferns.

"However, several of their international players play in New Zealand in their off-season and we know they are handy players so we won't be taking them too lightly."

At the conclusion of the Dutch series the TelstraClear White Ferns play three One-Day Internationals against Ireland in Dublin.

The Irish, like the Dutch, are considered to be developing in terms of international women's cricket.

According to TelstraClear White Ferns coach Mike Shrimpton, Ireland and The Netherlands are both working hard to develop the game in their respective countries and it is important the more established cricket playing nations support them.

"As one of the premier international sides and current world one-day champions, I feel we have a duty to encourage the other countries that are showing commitment to developing the game," said Shrimpton.

"One of the main ways we can do this is to play them as often as possible so they can learn what is required to take the next step up.

"Long term it's in every cricket lover's interest to support them because as these teams improve and become more competitive it will increase the global interest in the game."

As well as playing the One-Day Internationals the TelstraClear White Ferns will also run coaching clinics in both the Netherlands and Dublin, before heading off to England for what will be the more challenging leg of the tour.

In England the TelstraClear White Ferns will compete against England and India in a tri-series, where the three teams will each play other at least twice.

"We expect both the English and Indian sides to be very competitive," said Drumm.

"The last time we met these teams was at the World Cup when we beat them both.

"However that was two seasons ago and this side is not the same one that won the World Cup.

"It has lost some of the successful and experienced players from that campaign so it's going to be a real challenge for some of the younger players to step up to the mark."

The TelstraClear White Ferns will play their first match of the tri-series against India at the Grainville Cricket Club in Jersey on July 11.

Related Link	Women's Cricket
Teams	New Zealand.
Players/Umpires	Emily Drumm, Mike Shrimpton.
Tours	New Zealand Women in Netherlands New Zealand Women in Ireland
Tournaments	Women's Tri-Series