White Ferns captain Suzie Bates ready to end Rose Bowl drought

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates may have recently tasted success against the Australians but she's not letting her side get ahead of themselves as they brace for the upcoming Rose Bowl in Auckland.

Fresh from a 2-1 win in their Twenty20 series across the Tasman, the squad now look ahead to their annual 50-over outings against the old rivals starting Sunday, an altogether different proposition.

They may have the momentum, but without a Rose Bowl series win in almost 20 years, Bates has no misgivings about the challenge at hand.

"I think that's why we haven't celebrated too much," said the reigning ICC Player of the Year.

"We have been reasonably successful in T20s against Australia, but those Rose Bowls seem to be more difficult. As a captain that's something I've always wanted to do with this team is to make sure we win that.

"It really means a lot to this group, a lot of the players that have been in the team a while have never won it."

A handful of the current squad have recently been involved in the women's Big Bash League in Australia which is an experience Bates believes is adding a renewed sense of confidence to the team, particularly when it comes to overcoming some of the mental barriers inherent in doing battle with a such a giant of the international game.

The White Ferns won their Twenty20 series in Australia 2-1 (Getty file)
The White Ferns won their Twenty20 series in Australia 2-1 (Getty file)

"Playing over there in a tough competition, getting to train in really good facilities, it really helps us as a team to move forward.

"The more players that we can get involved in that competition the better off we're going to be.

"You play against Australians week-in, week-out and you realise that you can compete. It's taken away a bit of that fear factor against the Australian team that we've perhaps had in the past."

Now back on home soil, the side will be looking to replicate the feats of their male counterparts who recently wrapped up their own ODI series win against Australia in the return Chappell-Hadlee series.

"The Blackcaps have had heaps of success and I think it's just the way they go about it, the way they take it to the opposition.

"Mike Hesson sent a message last night to the group, and we're always watching and seeing how they're going."

With the World Cup in England looming on the distant horizon, the 29-year-old is eager to send a message to the rest of the cricketing world that they're a force to be reckoned with.

"I think lots of the teams now are starting to realise we've got a really talented and experienced side, and it would be really nice to be able to win this series and put our name out as someone to beat in England.

"I think we've got the ability, it's just making sure that we're consistent in 50-over cricket."

The opening game of the Rose Bowl series between New Zealand and Australia takes place on Sunday at Eden Park Outer Oval.

Newshub.