The BLACKCAPS and the WHITE FERNS as they are called, are looking towards an exciting cricketing summer with a packed schedule for both teams. Having reached the finals of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup after winning the test championship earlier this year, the BLACKCAPS are having a fabulous yet tiring cricketing season. Just after the finals on Sunday, November 14, India will be welcoming them for three T20Is and two test matches. The series kicks off on Wednesday, November 17.
While the men’s team is enjoying these exciting moments, the Women are preparing themselves to be the host for the World Cup next year.
The preparations for the Women’s Cricket World cup which originally was to happen earlier this year had the pandemic not disrupted the world, are in full swing both for the organizing board as well as for the host team. Adding some final touches to the preparation both for the White Ferns as well for the Women in Blue is the announcement of a series between the two teams starting February 9 next year comprising a T20I AND five ODIs.
India confirms their NZ tour next year, will get the much-needed preparations before the mega World Cup.
1st T20I – 9th Feb
1st ODI – 11th Feb
2nd ODI – 14th Feb
3rd ODI – 16th Feb
4th ODI – 22nd Feb
5th ODI – 24th Feb#NZvIND #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/GCXb30YxST— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) November 12, 2021
This series coming in ahead of the World Cup has raised a few questions especially in the minds of the Indians after they witnessed a not up to the mark performance in the Men’s T20 World Cup, one of the key reasons for which was the hectic schedule of the players especially the Indian Premier League (IPL) and with this scheduled series ending on February 24th just a week before the World Cup, the same worry has risen again. Secondly, coming into this big tournament, no team would like to suffer an injury blow. However, keeping the cons aside, this series would definitely help the Indian team get familiar with the New Zealand soil, and would be beneficial for both of them to study each other’s game and also, have a good warm-up before the start.
In a report by ESPN Cricinfo, New Zealand Chief Executive, David White said, “It hasn’t been a straightforward process and we’ve needed to work through a number of unexpected changes before finalizing the arrangements. Having said that, I’m delighted with the volume and quality of international cricket to be played over the summer, particularly given the importance of, and the relevance connected to these games. The India series is a crucial part of the WHITE FERNS’ [New Zealand Women’s] World Cup preparations.”
Thus, we are heading towards 2022 as a great cricketing year with both the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games on the path.
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