Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval will play host to New Zealand's White Ferns as they attempt win back the Rose Bowl against Trans-Tasman rivals Australia early next year.

The picturesque Bay of Plenty venue will stage three one day international fixtures between the two from February 20-24.

NZ's White Ferns will play three ODIs at the Bay Oval in February. Photo: File.

It's been almost 17 years since the White Ferns last won the trophy, and captain Suzie Bates says facing Australia is as good as it gets.

'When it's New Zealand against Australia, there is always something special about it, particularly at home,” admits Suzie.

'No one in our team has ever won the Rose Bowl, but that only increases our hunger. We'll be desperate to win.”

While facing their great rivals will be the highlight of the summer, the side's international season will begin with a maiden home series against Sri Lanka.

Having previously only appeared in New Zealand during the ICC Women's World Cup in 2000, Sri Lanka will play five ODIs and three Twenty20s from November 3-22.

In the first three of those ODIs, points will be on the line for the ICC Women's Championship.

Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Hagley Oval and Saxton Oval will host games during the Sri Lankan series, while the three ODIs and three Twenty20s against Australia will be played at the Bay Oval, The Basin Reserve and Pukekura Park.

It will be the first women's international match at Pukekura Park since 1982.

White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen says it is great to have two incoming tours this summer.

'It's a big summer for us,” says Haidee, 'which promises some fantastic matches. To have 14 days of international cricket at home is really exciting and to be playing in five different regions makes it even better.

'It's great to have Sri Lanka visiting for their first series here and they're a team that has improved a lot in recent years. We'll have to be on our game.

'Australia will be the ultimate challenge. They're world number one for a reason, but if we prepare well we know we're capable of beating them. We're already looking forward to the start of the summer.”

2015/16 White Ferns v Sri Lanka schedule:

1^st ODI, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, November 3

2^nd ODI, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, November 5

3^rd ODI, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, November 7

4^th ODI, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, November 10

5^th ODI, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, November 13

1st T20, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, November 15

2^nd T20, Saxton Oval, Nelson, November 20

3^rd T20, Saxton Oval, Nelson, November 22

2015/16 White Ferns v Australia schedule:

1^st ODI, Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui, February 20

2^nd ODI, Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui, February 22

3^rd ODI, Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui, February 24

1^st T20, Basin Reserve, Wellington, February 28

2^nd T20, Basin Reserve, Wellington, March 1

3^rd T20, Basin Reserve, Wellington, March 4