Rolton and Fitzpatrick eye 100th ODIs

Karen Rolton and Cathryn Fitzpatrick will play their 100th one-day international for Australia in the first game of the five-match Rose Bowl Series against New Zealand in Brisbane on Friday. Rolton, the captain, and Fitzpatrick, the opening bowler who has a world-record 167 wickets, will become the second and third players to reach the milestone for Australia after Belinda Clark, who appeared in 118 matches before retiring last year.

Ricky Ponting has passed on his congratulations to the players and said the match would be a big occasion. "It took me about five years to play 100 games so I can appreciate what this must mean for Karen and Cathryn," he said. "To play with such dedication over so many years to finally reach the century and still be leading the women's game as they do is testimony to their skill and quality as cricketers."

Lisa Sthalekar will add to the special occasion at Allan Border Field by making her 50th one-day international appearance. The teams opened the international part of New Zealand's tour in a Twenty20 contest on Wednesday, which ended in an Australian win courtesy of a bowl-off after the scores were tied.