State League begins this weekend

Round one of the State League women's national provincial cricket competition begins this weekend with two one-day matches between the State Northern Spirit and the State Central Hinds at Westpac Park in Hamilton.

The State League will see each Major Association team play in two 50-over one-day matches on consecutive days. There are five rounds to the State League, which is scheduled to conclude with the final match on February 22, 2003.

New Zealand Cricket assistant operations manager Catherine Campbell said an exciting competition was expected in what will be a build-up for New Zealand's top women's players for the New Zealand A programme and international quadrangular series, which will take place in late January and early February next year.

"As well as featuring our top TelstraClear White Ferns there are four English players in the competition," Campbell said.

"The State Auckland Hearts have won the State League for the past three years and will be looking to retain their position at the top of women's provincial cricket.

"Both the State Central Hinds and the State Wellington Blaze have some talented young players and like the other teams will be looking to upset the State Auckland Hearts in this year's State League."