Australia prepares for T20 Champions Trophy with upcoming New Zealand series
Australia faces a challenging lead-in to the T20 Champions Trophy, with a gap in international matches before the tournament.
Australia's women's cricket team, fresh from their T20 World Cup victory, will face a tough test in their upcoming three-game T20I series against New Zealand, starting in Sydney on Sunday.
The series, according to Cricket Australia, will be crucial in preparing the team for the inaugural T20 Champions Trophy in India next February, as it will be their final T20 matches before the tournament.
Australia coach Shelley Nitschke said, "It's just another opportunity for us to get out there as a team and work on putting out the type of cricket that we want to play."
The team will have to rely on individual preparation in T20 leagues, given the gap in international matches before the Champions Trophy.
At least 10 Cricket Australia-contracted players will feature in the Women's Premier League, which will be played in the same conditions as the Champions Trophy, providing them with valuable experience in Indian conditions.
Nitschke acknowledged that managing the team's preparation will be a challenge, but the upcoming Weber WBBL and domestic one-dayers will provide opportunities for players to gain more experience.
The series against New Zealand will also be an opportunity for Australia to test their skills against a new-look White Ferns outfit.