The White Ferns beat South Africa by 32 runs in the final to claim the T20 world title in October.
That result came as a sharp surprise given their results leading into the tournament.
They got a dream run, too.
England got eliminated in pool play and Australia were upset by South Africa in the semifinal.
Both were expected to contest the final and both have had the wood on the White Ferns.
Kerr played a key role in the final. She stroked 43 from 38 balls and took three for 24 with her leggies to help clinch the win.
She was named player of the match for her efforts.
The 24-year-old shapes as crucial to the White Ferns’ prospects in the three-game series against Australia, which gets under way at the Basin Reserve in Wellington today.
The Queen of Tawa is also very pleased to be back on her home turf for ‘‘three big games’’.
The right-hander warmed up for the series with a strong showing in the latest round of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HBJ).
She pummelled a century in the nine-run win over Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval on Saturday and returned the following day to notch 64.
It was valuable preparation, she said.
‘‘It is just trying to get all the fundamentals right knowing that I’ve got a whole lot more time than you do in T20s,’’ she said, adding you have to bowl your stock ball a lot more and stay patient at both the bowling and batting crease.
While the T20 World Cup delivered glory and greater recognition for the White Ferns, it has also lifted expectations in the team.
‘‘But the thing is it is a completely different format and a slightly different team as well.
‘‘We love playing Australia and obviously it is for the Rose Bowl as well, so it is probably the next big thing for us after a World Cup and we have not won it in a long time.
‘‘It is another great opportunity against the 50-over world champs.
‘‘Hopefully, we can take a lot of confidence from what we have achieved in our training blocks and in the HBJ and can go out and express ourselves.’’
Otago opener Bella James has been included in the White Ferns squad at the expense of Georgia Plimmer, who has been ruled out with a hip complaint.
Experienced Central Hinds seamer Rosemary Mair returns to the squad for her first ODI series since 2022.
Australian captain Alyssa Healy has travelled to Wellington but she has a knee complaint and was listed as doubtful earlier in the week.
Beth Mooney is poised to take the gloves, which will allow Healy to play as a specialist batter.
The form guide makes for impressive reading if you are an Australian supporter.
They have won nine of their past 10 ODIs, whereas New Zealand have registered just two wins from 10 games.
The last time the two teams squared off in an ODI was during a pool game at the World Cup in 2022. Australia posted 269 for eight and rolled the White Ferns for 128 at the Basin Reserve.
The last ODI series between the two teams was in 2021 in New Zealand, and was a 3-0 result to the visitors.
They have been utterly dominant and will start as very warm favourites again.
