Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

The recent announcement of the visit of the England and Australian Women's teams to the Bay Oval, provides a return to the Western Bay of Plenty for both women's international sides.

International cricket at the Bay Oval has come a long way since the Black Caps played South Africa in two ODI's in October 2015.

This season's two West Indies encounters - the highly regarded Boxing Day test and now four White Ferns matches - indicate the high regard that New Zealand Cricket has for the Western Bay of Plenty ground

England were the first to visit the Blake Park international cricket venue, playing three ODI's during the 2014/15 season.

The White Ferns took out the first encounter by 67 runs courtesy of an unbeaten 106 from Suzie Bates.

England grabbed their revenge a few days later, when they posted 194 and then bowled the Kiwi women out for just 104.

However, the series belonged to New Zealand when they chased down the England solid total of 217/9, getting home for the loss of a solitary wicket.

Rachel Priest led the way with an unbeaten 96 runs.

Australia women's teams have made two previous visits to the Bay Oval.

The White Ferns posted a rare win between the two countries during the 2015/16 series, when they reached 202/9 and then restricted the visitors to 193, for the loss of four wickets.

Games two and three saw Australian super-star Meg Lanning blast two centuries, with 114 not out in game two and 127 in the final match, with Australia taking out the series 2-1.

Suzie Bates belted her second century at the ground, smacking 110 runs in game three.

A year later, the Trans-Tasman rivalry resumed at the Bay Oval.

New Zealand set their Australian counterparts a big task when they reached 253 for the loss of eight wickets.

However, the visitors rose to the challenge and got home with four wickets to spare.

The White Ferns set Australia an even bigger target in game two, posting 270/9.

Australian again hauled in the target with relative ease, getting the win with five wickets in hand.

Meg Lanning was again the hero of the day, belting an unbeaten 104 runs, to give her a remarkable three Bay Oval centuries.

The White Ferns open their 2021 Bay Oval appearances in a unique double-header.

The New Zealand Women will play England in a T20 encounter as the prelude to the Black Caps squaring-off with Australia.

This will be the Australian Men's side first visit to the Bay Oval.

An unusual April three-match series, sees the White Ferns take on Australia Women in One-Day International action.

Women's International Schedule @ Bay Oval

7 March - White Ferns v England Women (T20 International double-header with Black Caps v Australia)

4 April - White Ferns v Australia Women (ODI)

7 April - White Ferns v Australia Women (ODI)

10 April - White Ferns v Australia Women (ODI)