ANGLIN AUSSIE CALL UP
LOCAL HOPING FOR CUP MEDAL
INSIDE knowledge from the world’s best is set to lift Geelong’s Leslie Anglin and the Australian Emeralds into medal contention at the 2018 Women’s World Cup in August.
The 33-year-old was “never confident” the call would come, but having proved herself as a shock starter throughout the 2016 edition, the outfielder will bring vital experience to the world No.4 ranked nation.
Anglin has ramped up her personal training program to build speed and strength for the international challenge but an eye-opening look at the elite Japanese methods last year could prove the impetus for a history-making charge to the top.
“You’d like to think we can knock them off, but even in the last two years since the 2016 World Cup, Baseball Australia have worked really hard in exposing us to Japan,” she said.
“Last year there was a group of us that went to Japan for a high-performance training camp and we played and trained with a school group who were coached by the Japanese national coach.
“We basically spent time training with them and, ultimately, learning what they did, and how to beat them at their own game.
“Canada and the US play a similar game to us in terms of hitting the ball long, whereas the Japanese bunt a lot and play a shorter game, and they’re just quick and really well drilled.
“Our intensity often isn’t as up to it, but I certainly think the team we’ve got this year, not taking away from the team we had in 2016, we’re a really good chance for a medal. I’d like to think so anyway.”
Anglin sweated on a breakthrough selection leading into the last World Cup, but this time the pressure release should allow her to play with more freedom, particularly knowing what lies ahead of her on the diamond.
“As I’ve said to a lot of people, it’s a little bit different this time around. Last time it was really emotional, whereas this time I can actually enjoy it. It’s a different experience in that sense,” she said.
Former Geelong student Bronwyn Gell, who was briefly a housemate with Anglin leading into the 2016 World Cup, is also in the 20-player Emeralds squad heading to Florida from August 22-31.
Australia, which finished fifth in 2016, will compete in Group B alongside Japan, Canada, Cuba, Hong Kong and the Dominican Republic, with the top three advancing to the Super Round.
‘We’re a really good chance for a medal. I’d like to think so anyway’
LESLIE ANGLIN