A White Ferns side full of potential begin their series against the highly rated England women's cricket team tomorrow in a Twenty20 match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
New Zealand will face the English side in five Twenty20s and three ODIs over the next 17 days at various venues around the country.
White Ferns skipper Suzie Bates said, with the promise the White Ferns possess, everyone is excited about the challenge that awaits them.
"We're really looking forward to getting back on the field. There's a really positive feeling about where we are heading as a group,'' Bates said.
If the tourists' warm-up results are anything to go by the task at hand will be a tough one for New Zealand. England played the last of three warm-up matches against the New Zealand emerging players XI on Tuesday and were convincing victors in all three outings. English captain Charlotte Edwards said she was happy with how her side had adapted to New Zealand conditions.
"I'm really pleased with our preparation going into the first Twenty20. Things are looking good going into the first game,'' Edwards said.
England will be missing 126-game veteran Claire Taylor, who recently retired, and rested strike bowler Catherine Brunt, but have shown in the warm-ups that they have more than enough talent to cope without the two.
The first three Twenty20 matches will feature as double-headers alongside the Black Caps' matches against South Africa.
England tour of New Zealand schedule:
First Twenty20, February 17, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 2.45pm.
Second Twenty20, February 19, Seddon Park, Hamilton, 2.45pm.
Third Twenty20, February 22, Eden Park, Auckland, 2.45pm.
Fourth Twenty20 match, February 25, Queens Park, Invercargill, 2.00pm.
Fifth Twenty20 match, February 26, Queens Park, Invercargill, 2.00pm.
First One-Day match, March 1, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University, 10.30am.
Second One-Day match, March 3, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University, 10.30am.
Third One-Day match, March 5, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University, 10.30am.
