A mini-Women's World Cup will be played in New Zealand next summer.

CricInfo Women's World Cup champions New Zealand, will host runners-up Australia, India and England in a 14-game series at Lincoln University starting on January 26.

The final is to be played on February 8. There will be a play-off for third and fourth on February 7.

England had earlier said it wouldn't take part in a four-way tournament but has changed its mind and will come to New Zealand at the end of its series with Australia.

An added benefit for New Zealand will be that it's A team will play a warm-up match with each of the teams before the tournament.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) operations manager John Reid said today: "I think this will be a fiercely-contested tournament and I have no doubt we will see some really outstanding women's cricket.

"We are delighted to be hosting a tournament that will see four of the top sides in women's international cricket competing against one another.

"The last time the four teams played together was in New Zealand at the World Cup in December 2000 when the TestraClear White Ferns beat the Indians in the semi-finals before claiming an historic win against the Australians in the final."

Normally New Zealand and Australia would be competing for the Rosebowl but discussions are underway to incorporate that series into the tournament.

The draw for the tournament has not yet been finalised but it is intended that each team will play each other twice.

NZC assistant operations manager Catherine Campbell said the tournament was part of a increasing schedule now being developed for women's cricket.

And the High Performance Centre at Lincoln was the ideal venue for the event.

"We've got the venue advantage to stage a tournament like this, we can host all the teams out there and the sides can stay there.

"The wickets and grounds are good for women's cricket.

"We have had a diet of always playing Australia, and while that has been good for both teams it has become rather repetitive for the public. It still raises issues about not taking women's cricket around the country, but against that it makes it easier for prospective television coverage," she said.

© CricInfo