Lea Tahuhu of New Zealand celebrates a wicket with White Ferns team-mates during 2024 T20 cricket World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It has been a while since the White Ferns have beaten Australia but there will be some added confidence within the New Zealand camp heading into tomorrow's T20 World Cup game.
The Ferns are coming off an impressive 58-run upset win over India in their opening game, while defending champions Australia opened their campaign with an impressive six wicket win over Sri Lanka.
New Zealand opening batter Suzie Bates said they'd targetted their first two games of the tournament.
"Looking at the schedule with Australia and India in our pool we knew we were going to have to win at least one of those matches," Bates told a pre-game media conference.
"That first match (against India) we knew we had to put out one of our best performances and we were able to do that under a lot of pressure which was really pleasing."
The pressure will be even higher against the Australians in Sharjah, a team they haven't beaten in any form of the game in three and a half years.
Prior to the tournament the two sides met in a three match T20 series in north Queensland, with the hosts winning all three.
"We've played them a lot over the years and we competed pretty well against them in those (recent) games," Bates said.
"There are going to be no surprises, it's just who can put that performance together."
However after the first up win Bates said they can take a lot of confidence into the game, knowing Australia well in terms of planning and preparation.
"After the start we had to this tournament if we can put that performance against Australia then we're going to go really well."
Suzie Bates of New Zealand in action against India, 2024 T20 World Cup, Dubai. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Part of the success against India started with the 67 run opening partnership Bates and Georgia Plimmer were able to put together.
"We've talked about how we want to start and we haven't quite been able to execute that recently.
"So to be able to do it in that game and give Sophie (Devine) and Melie (Kerr) a chance in the middle to adjust to conditions was so important.
"It's nice when you've got one of the oldest players and one of the youngest players in a partnership and she (Plimmer) can teach me the joy of youth and I've got a bit of experience to keep her calm."
The conditions in Sharjah are expected to be more spinner friendly than Dubai.
New Zealand played just two spinners in the opening game, Amelia Kerr and Eden Carson, but could add a third for Wednesday morning's game.
The Australians were also impressed with New Zealand's first up win.
"Obviously, they played out of their skin and really attacked the Indian team," said Australian spinner Sophie Molineux.
"So I think the way we'll approach it won't be too dissimilar to how we approach every game, and that's to come out with intensity.
Wednesday 9 October 3am (NZ time) New Zealand vs Australia, Sharjah.
Lea Tahuhu of New Zealand celebrates a wicket during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
