Unfortunately for Aotearoa's White Ferns, losses in T20I and ODI cricket are becoming the status-quo and the start to Amy Satterthwaite's tenure as ODI captain has followed on from a lacklustre World T20 campaign. Taking on India in the first of three ODI's, Aotearoa were given an even more ruthless hiding than that received by the Blackcaps as the grafted their way to 192 all out before watching India lose 1 wicket and cruise to victory by the 33rd over.

It's been a while since we have last seen the White Ferns ODI team in action, which is epitomised by this being Satterthwaite's first game as ODI skipper after taking over from Bates mid-way through 2018. That last ODI was in England back on July 13th - a game which the White Ferns won despite having already lost the series. There were a few changes to the playing 11 for that third game, so I'll draw back to the second ODI vs England to compare the teams selected by coach Haidee Tiffen.

Lauren Down came into the top order for Katey Martin, meaning a slight re-shuffle in the batting line up as Satterthwaite moved from #3 to #4 and vice versa for Martin/Down. Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green were again in the middle order, with Bernadine Bezuidenhout filling Kate Ebrahim's vacant spot and taking over wicket-keeping duties from Martin. The only change in the bowling unit was Hannah Rowe coming in for Jess Watkin.

Suzie Bates churned out the most runs - as she tends to do - with 36 and the opening duo of Bates and Devine laid a fairly decent platform of 64 runs before Devine was dismissed for 28 in the 14th over. This is the same old yarn here as the responsibility and ability of Bates/Devine would have them being frustrated that they couldn't kick on after getting starts, but the story with the White Ferns is a lack of contributions from others.

Satterthwaite hit 31, Kerr 28 and Rowe chimed in with 25 down the order to bolster the Ferns total. It's unrealistic to hope or expect Bates/Devine to score big runs every game and the very least they can do is see off the new ball, put up 50 runs and lay some sort of platform; which they do rather consistently. Once again though, this White Ferns group couldn't find the widespread contributions to pose a threat.

The lone wicket that the Ferns took with the ball was a bit of a non-factor as well, given that it came in with 190 runs already on the board and Smriti Mandhana reaching her century. Kerr took the wicket and seven different bowlers were used by Satterthwaite, including herself, with all but Devine (4.66rpo) conceding more than 5rpo.

I won't get too dramatic after one game, even if this one game comes after a few mediocre efforts in 2018. The manner in which the Ferns lost this opening ODI is concerning though and something better change quickly, or else we'll have a major issue on our hands given that the White Ferns are simply under-performing.

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Peace and love 27.