Rolls calls for more Twenty20

Rebecca Rolls has called for more Twenty20 cricket for the women's game. Rolls, the New Zealand keeper, believes that the short form of the game is a good promotional tool for the women, and can enhance the game. She says that the women's game should follow the example of Australia, where women's state teams have played before the men to raise public awareness in front of decent crowds.

"We can improve our game by increasing accessibility for young girls by playing in lots of different locations in a country hosting a series, by getting in front of the general public through media and as has recently been done in Australia, perhaps playing Twenty20 curtain-raisers before a men's game."

Rolls is aware, however, that any crowds coming along to any such Twenty20 match who are watching the women's game for the first time must expect different styles of cricket to the men.

"I think it's important to recognise the differences between ours and the men's game and emphasis the strengths women have such as shot placement, bowling variations and other intricacies, in the absence of brute force, speed and power the guys possess.

"[We] can become even more attacking in our batting, field settings and tactics, and smarter with our bowling. Recent introductions of Twenty20 games have promoted this and I believe it's a game we should play more of."

The White Ferns are already scheduled to play two Twenty20 matches when they head to England this summer, rather than the customary single match. This is, in part, to make up for the lack of Test cricket. New Zealand do not play Test matches, and there are rumours that this form of cricket may be scrapped for all countries.

The Twenty20s won't be followed by any men's matches, but their profile will be raised on television, with Sky committed to covering both as well as the first one-dayer. All of these matches will be hosted by Taunton, the newly anointed home of women's cricket.

In the meantime, New Zealand will face England in the women's quadrangular series, where they will also play Australia and India in Chennai. The tournament, which brings together the world's top four countries, will be helpful preparation for the 2009 World Cup in Australia.

New Zealand will attend a 10-day training camp in Christchurch before they depart. They will also play practice games against New Zealand A (7 and 9 February) and Australian Youth side (11 February) before departing for Chennai on 14 February. They open their campaign against Australia on 21 February.