The White Ferns will end a long drought for New Zealand sport when they travel to Australia next month.
Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga 2020 / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd
The tour would be the first time a team from one of the country's major codes had taken part in international matches since Covid-19 brought the world to a halt more than five months ago.
The New Zealand squad are set to fly out for Brisbane on September 9th, with all those travelling required to go through Cove testing 72 hours before departure.
A two-week quarantine was also required but White Ferns coach Bob Carter said they would have clearance to use a practice facility ahead of the first match.
"We'll be able to utilise training and gym facilities there and the Australian team will be there as well, so we'll be in that same bubble,
"We've all seen what's been put in place from both sets of government and also with Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket, so we're confident that we can get in the training that we require to get ourselves ready."
The White Ferns would effectively be in their own bubble in Brisbane, with several floors of their hotel blocked off exclusively for their use.
All players and support staff had also had a flu vaccination.
But strict Covid-19 protocols weren't the only reason the trip would be a bit different to the norm.
The tour saw the return of former captain Amy Satterthwaite who, alongside frontline seamer and wife Lea Tahuhu welcomed their first child into the world in January.
Seven-month old Grace would be with the team throughout their four weeks across the Tasman.
Coach Bob Carter said they were happy to have the services of manager Belinda Muller, who had experience in women's teams where young children had been around.
"She's made us very aware what that looks like.
"Obviously we want Lea and Amy to be there as part of our squad and certainly Grace is very much with them, so it'll be a nice dynamic for us all to have."
Satterthwaite, a stylish top-order batter and handy off-spin bowler, took a leave of absence from the New Zealand side in August last year.
With 119 one-day internationals and 99 T20 internationals to her name, the 33-year-old brought plenty of experience back into the squad.
Carter welcomed the former skipper's return with open arms.
"She's been hitting balls since were allowed to in early June, so she's working hard to get ready to go.
"There's still a little bit of time to put into her game but she's certainly getting herself ready to hopefully play in some of those T20 games and the Rose Bowl [one-day] matches as well."
The three-match T20 series is scheduled to be played on September 26, 27 and 30, with the one-day games set down for October 3, 5 and 7.
