The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup begins this weekend and Bay Oval groundsman Jared Carter and his team have put in the hard work to ensure optimal conditions ahead.

Which means the field will be set for one of sport's great rivalries to play out its latest chapter in the Bay of Plenty this weekend when great cricketing neighbours India and Pakistan face off at Bay Oval this Sunday, March 6.

Bay of Plenty Migrant Indian Women's Group member Dipika Patel is volunteering at the tournament. She believes that the women's version of the rivalry is friendlier in nature than the sometimes vitriolic men's rivalry that has rumbled on since the 1950s.

'I think it is more that both teams want to have peace and an understanding of good sportsmanship,” says Dipika.

'I think it brings back the spirituality of your patriotism, even after spending 20 years in New Zealand that cricket is such a binding game.”

Saima Anis has lived in Tauranga for nine years but is acutely aware of the cricket's appeal in her home nation of Pakistan and their neighbours. 'We breathe cricket in Pakistan and in India,” says Saima.

'Every day on every street there will be people playing cricket. That's how we grew up and we will always be a part of that.”

Northern Districts representative Nensi Patel has high hopes of representing the White Ferns at a World Cup in the future but was actually born in India, moving to New Zealand when she was six years old.

The former Tauranga Girls' College says having her hometown host such a pivotal fixture means a lot to her. 'India versus Pakistan is always a thriller,” says Nensi. 'It is two great countries coming together to play. It will be really exciting.”

Potential future stars like Nensi are one of the reasons both Saima and Dipika are happy to see the World Cup in NZ. 'For women's cricket it is another just huge step,” says Saima.

'There are a lot of stereotypes women have had to break to get to the where they are, so I am very proud of the cricket team.”

While the two will be opposing fans on Sunday, this is something they can agree on.

'Back in our day girls were not even allowed to go and watch or enjoy cricket,” says Dipika.

'So I hope it can also inspire a new generation of girls.”

The Cricket World Cup began today. The Pakistan versus India match is at the Bay Oval this Sunday, March 6 from 2pm.