Fixtures for Australia's women announced

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced the program of home internationals for Australia's women featuring the Rose Bowl and a new Twenty20 Series against New Zealand.

The Twenty20 Series has been introduced to help the Southern Stars prepare for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies in May 2010 and to provide additional international matches for the team in the shortest form of the game.

In previous years, the Southern Stars have played single Twenty20 matches before or after their one-day international series. However CA's move to formalise the structure of Twenty20 cricket played at an international level recognises its potential in promoting the women's game and the growing number of matches being played around the world.

For the third year in a row, the women's international season will be highlighted by a double header Twenty20 International fixture involving the Australian men's and women's teams. On Sunday 21 February at Bellerive Oval, the Southern Stars will play New Zealand in a women's Twenty20 International before the men's KFC Twenty20 International between Australia and West Indies.

This match will be the first of three Twenty20 Internationals in the series. All matches will be played at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

"Double-header matches have proved a great success over the past two seasons. They have not only provided fantastic value for money for fans, but also given more people a chance to watch the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in action, either at the ground or through the highlights packages that have been shown on the Nine Network," Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said.

"Together with the Rose Bowl before it, this summer's women's program will provide the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars with tough international contests as they prepare for the next ICC event in the West Indies."

Before the Twenty20 Series, Australia will defend its Rose Bowl trophy in five one-day internationals.

The matches will be played in Adelaide and Melbourne from 10-18 February with Australia the current holders of the trophy after the most recent series between the teams in early 2009 finished 2-2 after the final clash was abandoned due to rain.

Following the Rose Bowl and Twenty20 Series, the Southern Stars will travel to New Zealand for return matches against the White Ferns. The schedule for this tour has not yet been finalised.

Rose Bowl (One-Day Internationals)

Wed 10 Feb Australia v New Zealand Adelaide Oval
Thu 11 Feb Australia v New Zealand Adelaide Oval
Sun 14 Feb Australia v New Zealand Melbourne
Wed 17 Feb Australia v New Zealand Melbourne
Thu 18 Feb Australia v New Zealand Melbourne

Twenty20? Series

Sun 21 Feb Australia v New Zealand Bellerive Oval
Mon 22 Feb Australia v New Zealand Bellerive Oval
Tue 23 Feb Australia v New Zealand Bellerive Oval