The first NatWest Women’s International Twenty20, starting at 3.30pm will be preceded by an England Disabilities demonstrational game as they take on the England Special Needs team, starting at 11.30am.
The second game in the three-match series takes place the following day at 5.30pm at the same venue.
For the final Twenty20, England return to the Home of Women’s Cricket in Taunton on Thursday August 16 in a fixture televised live on Sky Sports. The following day provides the curtain-raiser for the first ODI in the NatWest Women’s Series, again from Taunton.
The second NatWest ODI will be played at Stratford-Upon-Avon on Sunday August 19. After the severe flooding that hit the ground recently, preparations are well under way to ensure the fixture goes ahead without any problems.
The teams then head north to Derbyshire CCC for the only floodlit game of the NatWest Women’s Series on Thursday August 23. Ahead of the fixture, which starts at 2.30pm, the final of a Chance to Shine competition will be held at the county ground involving players from local Midlands county finalists.
Two fixtures in Blackpool follow over the Bank Holiday weekend on August 26 and 27. Seaside antics will be the order of the day as bespoke Women’s cricket rock will be distributed. On Friday August 24, both teams will enjoy an open-top bus ride along the sea-front taking in all the sights that Blackpool has to offer.
The ECB Cricket Factory will be on site at Blackpool Cricket Club on Monday providing cricket activities for the budding young cricketers in attendance.
The sixth and final NatWest Women’s ODI will be held at Shenley Cricket Club on Thursday August 30. In a bid to assist the local community, a fire engine will be at the ground from 11am-1pm and the local firemen will be on hand.
England captain Charlotte Edwards is looking forward to playing International cricket again:”We’re really excited about the forthcoming NatWest Women’s series against New Zealand. They are a strong side, so it’s going to be a closely-fought contest with lots of exciting games and we can’t wait for it to get underway. We’ve been working hard with Mark (Dobson) and feel fully prepared for the season.
“To have threeTwenty20s, followed by six NatWest Women’s one-dayers is perfect for us and the intimate venues we’re playing at really lend themselves to the women’s game, creating a great atmosphere for us to play in. It’s going to be a tough series, but a good one.”
Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and free for Under 16s. For tickets visit www.ecb.co.uk/womens
Fixtures:
NatWest Women’s International Twenty20
Sunday August 12 1st Twenty20 v New Zealand BATH CC
Monday August 13 2nd Twenty20 v New Zealand BATH CC
Thursday August 16 3rd Twenty20 v New Zealand TAUNTON (TV)
NatWest Women’s Series
Fri August 17 1st NatWest ODI v New Zealand TAUNTON (TV)
Sun August 19 2nd NatWest ODI v New Zealand STRATFORD CC
Thurs August 23rd 3rd NatWest ODI v New Zealand (Floodlit) DERBY CCC
Sun August 26th 4th NatWest ODI v New Zealand BLACKPOOL CC
Mon August 27th 5th NatWest ODI v New Zealand BLACKPOOL CC
Thurs August 30 6th NatWest ODI v New Zealand SHENLEY
Both games at Taunton will be televised live on Sky Sports