New Zealand's White Ferns are looking to kick-start their ICC Women's Championship campaign at Mount Maunganui this week – but they'll have to get past the number one side in the world to do so.

The Kiwis will square off against England in the final pairing of round two, with three one-day internationals at the Bay Oval taking place on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates and England skipper Charlotte Edwards will renew their rivalry with three ODIs at the Bay Oval this week. Photo: Supplied.

The tournament has been introduced as a preliminary qualifying stage for the 2017 Women's World Cup.

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates concedes the English are one of the best sides in the world right now, but insists her side are preparing confidently with vital championship points up for grabs.

'We have had 10 days training because we know it's going to be tough to beat them,” says Suzie.

'I think we have come off our domestic season and the girls are looking pretty good, so we have all the confidence that we can beat them.

'But we are going to have to play some good cricket.”

England last toured New Zealand in 2012 and were convincing victors, while the White Ferns currently prop up the bottom of the championship table having lost their opening round clash in St Kitts to the West Indies last September.

A win would give the Kiwis a chance to overtake India and Sri Lanka in the championship, while a 3-0 series win would see England jump from fifth to second.

And much of the side's impetus falls on Bates' shoulders, who is currently ranked as the world's seventh-best batsmen and was named player of the tournament at the 2013 Women's World Cup in India.

'When we went to the West Indies, we didn't do as well,” she explains.

'My own performances weren't as good as they should have been, but I love captaining and just hope I can lead with the bat.”

The three matches also represent a home-coming for Anna Peterson, who has won back her place in the New Zealand team after three games for the White Ferns against the English in 2012.

While she was born in Auckland, Anna learnt and played age-group cricket in Tauranga. She was selected for the Northern Spirit while still at secondary school and became a regular first pick before joining the Auckland Hearts this season.

Anna juggled representative duties between Northern Spirit and the Bay of Plenty Women's team, while living in the Bay of Plenty. Over 80 games for the Northern Spirit testify to her all-round skills with both bat and ball.

In the 2012/13 season, Anna scooped the pool at the Bay of Plenty Cricket prize-giving, winning the BOPCA Women's Player of the year and both the batting and bowling trophies

The White Ferns clash with England at the Bay Oval tomorrow before returning on Friday, February 13 and finishing with the final fixture on Sunday, February 15. Entry is free for all matches.

The Mount-based ODIs are followed by three Twenty20 internationals - two in Whangarei and one in Lincoln - and two further ODIs in Lincoln.

White Ferns Squad:

Suzie Bates (c) Morna Neilsen (Otago Sparks) Erin Bermingham, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury Magicians) Kate Broadmore, Hannah Rowe (Central Hinds) Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest (Wellington Blaze) Georgia Guy, Holly Huddlestone, Sarah McGlashen, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson (Auckland Hearts)

England (from):

Charlotte Edwards (captain), Katherine Brunt, Kathryn Cross, Lydia Greenway, Rebecca Grundy, Jenny Gunn, Danielle Hazell, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Laura Marsh, Natalie Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor (wicketkeeper), Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.