Housemates square off in trans-Tasman T20

Expect the banter to flow thick and fast between New Zealand's Sophie Devine and Australians Rachael Haynes and Elyse Villani in the Twenty20 at North Sydney.

Devine

Sophie Devine is looking forward to a housemates' reunion during the trans-Tasman T20 series. (AAP)

It will be housemate against housemate at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, when New Zealand allrounder Sophine Devine squares off against two Australian members of "La Familia".

Devine shared a home with Australian batters Rachael Haynes and Elyse Villani during this year's English domestic Twenty20 competition.

There was no squabbling over passive-aggressive notes or split bills. The trio became friends while guiding Loughborough Lightning to the final, sharing plenty of cricket tips but even more laughs.

"We called ourselves La Familia," Devine told AAP.

"That was our house name. I don't why, it was probably Villani's doing.

"It was a proper family. It was nice to get to know them off the park.

"Now we're up against each other in an international T20 series. We'll throw a bit of banter around and stir each other up."

Devine didn't take much prompting to offer up some anecdotes about the house dynamic. She is full of respect for Haynes' batting but the same can't be said of her golfing prowess.

"We played a couple of rounds. It's fair to say Rach is s***," Devine laughed.

"We all executed our roles in the house. It worked. I think Rach cooked once during the whole six weeks.

"But when she did cook it was outstanding. Lamb rack.

"She also didn't like driving, she liked being chauffeured around. Each to their own."

Haynes offered more of a straight bat.

"I had a really good time in England and we definitely got to know each other a bit better," she said.

"We're two pretty competitive people."

The proliferation of male T20 leagues, most notably the Indian Premier League, has improved the standard of white-ball cricket and helped players from around the world become friends with fierce rivals.

Many cricketers have discovered they actually get along with opponents they once hated, having realised people act a lot differently without white-line fever.

A similar revolution is occurring in the women's game.

Devine, who played for the Adelaide Strikers last summer, suggested it's no coincidence the record for the highest total in a women's T20 has been broken three times this year.

"That goes down to the domestic leagues around the world and the opportunities we now have to play alongside the best players in the world," she said.

"It's pushing us all to get better, pushing us out of our comfort zone."

Haynes expressed similar sentiments, noting the last piece in the puzzle is a women's IPL.


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Source: AAP



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