White Ferns Captain Suzie Bates says New Zealand's cricketers are desperate to win back the Rose Bowl from Australia in this summer's three-match one-day international series.
It's been 17 years since the New Zealanders won the Rose Bowl and they'll have the home advantage in February when Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval hosts all three 50-over matches.
The series will also double as a round of the ICC women's championship.
"When it's New Zealand against Australia there is always something special about it, particularly at home," she said.
"No one in our team has ever won the Rose Bowl, but that only increases our hunger. We'll be desperate to win."
The New Zealanders begin their international season with a home series against Sri Lanka, with five ODIs and three Twenty20s from November 3-22.
Points for the women's championship will be on the line in the first three ODIs.
White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen says the two incoming tours will provide 14 days of international cricket, with the improving Sri Lankans a testing opener before the Australians.
"Australia will be the ultimate challenge. They're world No.1 for a reason, but if we prepare well, we know we're capable of beating them."
TOUR SCHEDULE
Sri Lanka
ODIs: Nov 3, Nov 5, Nov 7 and Nov 10 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln; Nov 15 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Twenty20s: Nov 15 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch; Nov 20 and Nov 22 at Saxton Oval, Nelson
Australia
ODIs: Nov 20, Nov 22 and Nov 24 at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
Twenty20s: Feb 28 and March 1 at Basin Reserve, Wellington; March 4 at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
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