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NZ Cricket extend free entry for White Ferns ODI series following Wellington washout
Sport Nation • December 19th, 2024 1:45 pm
Photo: Rob Stewart
The White Ferns and Australia were initially expecting to run out onto the Basin Reserve on Thursday in front of 4,000-plus fans, due to NZ Cricket's free ticket initiative for the ODI series opener.
However, torrential rain in Wellington has ensured the first ODI of the three-match series is abandoned without a ball bowled.
With that development, NZC have extended free entry to the second and third ODIs on December 21 and 23 at the same venue.
“We were thrilled with the number of fans who’d reserved their free tickets to today’s first ODI against Australia and are disappointed they couldn’t get a game," NZC Head of Marketing Esther Lawrence said in a statement.
“With two matches remaining and brighter weather on the horizon, we’re confident the famous Rose Bowl series is going to be an entertaining affair."
The Rose Bowl series against New Zealand is Australia's last chance to sharpen up before the home Ashes that begins in mid-January.
Alyssa Healy will return from a knee injury that sidelined her from the entire three-match ODI series against India earlier this month but Beth Mooney is expected to continue keeping wicket as the captain continues her recovery.
Australia are a chance to make another change for the series opener after spinner Sophie Molineux suffered a knee injury. Fellow tweaker Georgia Wareham is the most logical like-for-like replacement option after she was overlooked for the final two games of the India series.
Meanwhile, in the White Ferns camp, Otago's Bella James could be in line to make her international debut as an injury replacement for Georgia Plimmer.
- this report includes information by AAP.
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