Persistent rain in Sydney has meant the second One Day International between the Australian Southern Stars and the New Zealand White Ferns, scheduled to be held in the suburb of Blacktown, has been abandoned without a ball being bowled.
They are two of the best teams in international cricket when it comes to the women’s side of things and much was said about the tough contest that was to face them, as the Australian Southern Stars led by the returning Jodie Fields prepared to host the New Zealand White Ferns who were being led for the first time by dual international Suzie Bates.
It was in 2009 that the New Zealand White Ferns remarkably defeated the Southern Stars at North Sydney Oval in the tournaments opener that sparked the Australians downfall as New Zealand went on to lose the final to England in what was a remarkable twelve months for them.
Heading into the Rosebowl Series the Australian Southern Stars had rebuilt, they had prepared with youngsters and were ready to do battle with their closest rivals.
However things were different for the New Zealand Blackcaps who after the World Cup where they finished runners up a string of retirements to key personal, including former skippers Haidee Tiffen, Aimee Mason and players such as Nicola Browne have meant the White Ferns arrived on Australian soil with a relatively inexperienced team along with a new skipper in dual international Suzie Bates.
The opening three Twenty20 matches played at North Sydney Oval last weekend all went the way of the Australian Southern Stars who produced a clinical display as the home side took an unassailable three-nil lead in the best of five series. All eyes had turned to the three match one day series for the Rosebowl.
Wednesday saw the first of three One Day Internationals between the two countries being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground was washed out as mother nature had her say in the series.
When all eyes turned to Blacktown for the second One Day International hopes were high from players on both teams that the fierce battle between the two teams would finally get underway. However the rain that has battled Australia’s east coast once again had the last laugh with the match being abandoned without a ball being bowled.
“It’s very disappointing” New Zealand White Ferns skipper Suzie Bates said after the match was officially abandoned.
“We were looking forward to a tough battle, however the rain has definately had it’s say in it all.”
All of the attention now turns to Sunday’s third and final One Day International, once again held at the Blacktown International Sports Complex, in which the match has the added importance of being the Rosebowl decider.
Tagged with: Australian Soil, Australians, Bates, Blackcaps, Blacktown, Day Internationals, Downfall, Dual International, Inexperienced Team, International Cricket, North Sydney Oval, Persistent Rain, Retirements, Rivals, Skippers, Southern Stars, Suzie, Sydney Cricket Ground, Twenty20, White Ferns