White Ferns get top notch assistance

New Zealand cricketing knight Sir Richard Hadlee donned his whites yesterday to assist the national women's team preparation for their CricInfo Women's World Cup challenge.

The convener of the selection panel for the men's team did his bit to help the women's side get some match practice before the home series against England next month, which will be followed by the World Cup.

New Zealand's best women players are vying for a place in the side to contest the CricInfo Women's World Cup. The match was the first of three they will play against a President's XI in Christchurch over the next two weeks.

Along with Hadlee the President's XI included some New Zealand Cricket administrative personnel, former Test batsman John Reid, New Zealand Academy representative Aaron Redmond and a member of the women's squad, Kate Pulford.

New Zealand's team for the World Cup is to be named after a trial to be held at the main Cup venue at BIL Oval at Lincoln University just outside Christchurch.

The match was the first for New Zealand after several winter camps where much of the team's preparation was held indoors at New Zealand's High Performance Centre at Lincoln.

The President's XI batted first at Hagley Park and scored 197 for eight in its 50 overs. Hadlee retired after scoring 70 while Pulford scored 49.

Katrina Keenan was the pick of the CLEAR White Ferns attack. With good variety and control the women's development officer claimed the wickets of work-mates NZC general manager Tim Murdoch, operations manager Reid and finance manager Kerry Dellaca.

Paula Gruber took two for 32 off seven overs.

The White Ferns started solidly as Debbie Hockley and Paula Flannery put on nearly 60 for the first wicket. Hockley was out for 49 while Flannery scored 20.

However, among the remaining players only Kathryn Ramel made a significant score with 22.

When the 50 overs were completed the White Ferns had reached 160 for nine. Pulford bowled well, managed to get pace and bounce from the pitch.

Hadlee bowled six overs and took none for 22 while Redmond provided a good work-out for the women with his leg-spinners to take one for 28 from his 10 overs.