Stead wants team to step up for the big occasion
New Zealand coach Gary Stead believes the loss in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 2010 to Australia will have no bearing on the upcoming Rose Bowl Series. New Zealand lost to Australia by a mere three runs in the final of ICC World Twenty20 2010.
New Zealand and Australia women play the first Twenty20 International of the traditional Rose Bowl Series at Hamilton on Tuesday, 28 December.
"I wouldn't think so. Australia beat us on the day and deserved their victory. We have discussed and learnt lessons from that match and moved on," said Stead.
A former New Zealand cricketer, Stead, says his team is desperate to win back the Rose Bowl.
"This series is very important. The traditional rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is always good but we have been on the wrong side of the winning ledger for a decade now and we are determined to win back the Rose Bowl from the Australian team this summer."
The New Zealand players have prepared for the series with a tough few rounds of domestic cricket. Stead is also banking on the experience of making three finals - ICC World Twenty20 2009, ICC Women's World Cup 2009 and ICC World Twenty20 2010 - to come good in the series.
"It'll be no surprise to anybody, but getting players to step up on the `big occasion' is important. The good thing in having had the experience of three world finals in the last 18 months is we know the team is good enough to make these events and now getting players to play without fear in those situations has been a focus," added Stead.
New Zealand is coming off a series in England where the hosts narrowly won the ODI series. New Zealand though claimed the Twenty20 series.
" No doubt a win in the ODI series would have been a positive for the team, but overall in England across the eight games we played, the results in the T20 and ODI matches combined was 4-4 which indicates the closeness of the series. England had the wood over us for a long time but I know our team has grown in confidence from that series which was an extremely competitive series throughout."
Stead believes the England tour still had some positives.
"Winning the T20 series and competing and winning the two must win matches after losing the first T20 game. The fighting spirit and never say die attitude that was shown from these matches was great. Some new players have been brought into the environment that has shown they can certainly mix it at international level such as Erin Bermingham and Liz Perry. The ability of our senior players to see matches through to the conclusion when getting into that situation and leading from the front are all good positives."
New Zealand is scheduled to play a split series against Australia with the second half of the tour being completed in February 2011. Stead does not see that as a difficulty.
"It will be fine. The reason for the matches between Xmas and New Year is that these games are to be telecast live which gives some great exposure for the Women's game. I am sure both teams will be up for the matches."
Stead sees the role of captain Aimee Watkins as being very crucial. "Teams always seem to go better if the captain is in good form. Aimee, particularly with her batting in the England series showed her experience and played some fine knocks for us. She is a seasoned International player and we expect her to do well this summer."
Stead discounts home advantage as a factor in the series. "I don't think it will have a big impact. Both teams have played at the venues before. The best team will win regardless of the conditions," concluded Stead.