White Ferns set to make Saxton Oval white-hot

Local cricket fans didn't have to set as long of a countdown for the return of International cricket to Saxton Oval this time around.

The stage has been set for the White Ferns as they prepare for a double header of afternoon T20 games against England, starting from 1pm on Friday 22 and Sunday 24 March.

And with England ranked second in the world behind Australia in both T20 and ODI formats, the home side will have their work cut out for them if they want to kick off the tour on the front foot.

The games act as the second and third matches of a five-game T20 series, which precedes a three-game ODI series before the two teams do the dance again in the Northern Hemisphere in June and July.

It will be the first time the White Ferns have played on the ground since 2016, when they won a one-off T20 fixture against Pakistan by 14 runs.

New Zealand comes into the game with a world T20 ranking of four, but they will be boosted by strong wins against England A in the build-up to the series.

Local hotshot bowler Claudia Green has also been in the action, picking up match-best figures of three wickets for 26 runs for New Zealand A in a 57-run loss to England.

Having missed out on the wider 15-woman squad that has been preparing for the tour, Claudia's performance will have definitely caught the eye of selectors.

However, with a deep bowling line-up, it has been hard to crack into the country's top-playing XI, with Claudia having made her international debut in 2021 and been part of the Commonwealth Games bronze medal-winning squad in 2022.

Pace bowler Rosemary Mair and all-rounder Brooke Halliday have returned to the squad in the build up to the series, with the team set to be captained by Sophie Devine.

Tickets start from $15 for general admission adults, which can be purchased online or at the gate.