Rolton closes in on 4000 ODI runs

One of the most keenly contested series in women's cricket takes place later this month when New Zealand tour Australia in a bid to regain the Rose Bowl. Karen Rolton, the Australia captain, can't wait to play their trans-Tasman rivals, and she will expect to pass 4000 runs during the series, needing 61 to reach the milestone.

Australia have lost only three out of 27 games against New Zealand since the 2000 World Cup defeat, and they have won every Rose Bowl this decade. Despite this one-sidedness, Rolton is expecting a close contest.

"I don't think there is too much difference between the two teams, any team can win on the day," Rolton said. Although Australia won the Rose Bowl 5-0 in 2006, the first three matches were decided in the last over. The two sides also reached the final of the Quadrangular series in Chennai in March, which Australia won by six wickets.

"Every time we play New Zealand we are ready for a tough, hard-fought series," Rolton said. "The two teams really enjoy playing against each other. We can't wait to play this series as we really enjoy playing against one of the best teams in women's cricket."

Rolton said the Australia team had changed a lot since the World Cup in 2005, which they won, and were in the process of rebuilding. They will certainly feel the loss of Cathryn Fitzpatrick, their leading fast bowler, who retired after the Quadrangular series.

The Rose Bowl will be good preparation for the World Cup that Australia are hosting in 2009. "It is important to try as many players as we can to see who can perform against the best teams in the world," Rolton said, "so we can have the best performing players ready for action in 2009." The series begins at Darwin's Garden's Oval with a Twenty20 game on July 19, followed by five ODIs between July 21 and 29.