White Ferns relishing the chance of redemption

After trouncing Ireland, New Zealand’s 54-run Twenty20 loss to England on Sunday lent perspective to their cricket tour of Britain.

Today’s doubleheader against South Africa and England at Bristol presents the White Ferns with a chance for redemption.

If they beat South Africa in the opening game they will advance to Monday morning’s final and are likely to face England.

Lose to South Africa, and they would need to beat England in the final round-robin game.

“As a doubleheader it will be a big one to get up for physically and mentally,” Amy Satterthwaite said. “We’re disappointed with the way we performed in our previous game, but it was the first loss of the tour, so we’re not panicking.”

New Zealand delivered in a world record 216 for one against South Africa at the same ground in Taunton earlier in the tournament.

Chasing 173, the White Ferns were dismissed for 118 from 18.3 overs.

The beauty of it is that whatever happens in the first game, we’ve got to park it and reassess quickly to get ready for the second game. Amy Satterthwaite

Satterthwaite was ready to adjust for the doubleheader.

“The beauty of it is that whatever happens in the first game, we’ve got to park it and reassess quickly to get ready for the second game. We’ll play on the pitch first, and have an advantage in the second match [against England], knowing the conditions.”

New Zealand dispatched Ireland in their warm-up matches, winning the sole T20 by 10 wickets and each of the three one-day internationals by more than 300 runs after deciding to bat and post scores in excess of 400.

The series was understandably swimming in records given Ireland are the International Cricket Council’s 10th and last-ranked women’s team.

That’s not to denigrate New Zealand’s performances.

For example, the concentration and skill shown by 17-year-old Amelia Kerr to plunder a women’s ODI world record 232 not out and take five wickets for 17 runs in the same match was an extraordinary feat.

The tri-series has provided a truer test of form ahead of November’s World T20 in the West Indies.

England, as the incumbent world champions, will also provide stern opposition in next month’s three ODIs.