Kerr sisters impress at World Cup
Tawa cricketer Melie Kerr is not fazed by competing against older and taller girls.
It’s the older opponents who are in awe of her.
Last month the 14-year-old was the shining light at the Indoor World Cup in the Hutt Valley, being named the tournament’s most valuable player in the women’s under-20 division.
Though it was her first international event, she was named in the tournament world team of eight players.
Kerr said her opponents were shocked when they found out how young she was.
‘‘I had just turned 14 a few days before the tournament,’’ she said.
Though the New Zealand girls beat rivals Australia twice earlier in the tournament, they couldn’t match the Aussies in the final, chasing 150 to win and managing just 115.
Kerr contributed well in a 44-run opening partnership in the final.
Her sister Jess, 16, was also in the team and both have been named in the national under-18 squad for next year’s Junior World Cup in Australia.
Kerr said she was proud to represent her country. Despite the result in the final, she said it was her most enjoyable tournament.
‘‘I thought that I batted really well – probably the best I’ve ever done in indoor cricket.
‘‘We were probably the best batting and fielding side in the tournament – we just didn’t get enough runs.’’
The girls’ father, Robbie Kerr, himself a former national indoor cricket representative, was called in late as the team’s assistant coach and praised Melie’s performance.
‘‘It’s a tremendous boost for her; she has exceeded all her expectations. She has got a good future ahead of her,’’ he said.
Kerr is targeting the 2017 World Cup, and aims to become the youngest New Zealander to make the national team.
She hopes to be selected for the national under-21 outdoor cricket team, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, former test opening batsman Bruce Murray.
Kerr said she had favoured the outdoor game until recently but the pendulum had swung towards the indoor game.
‘‘I’ve had more opportunities in indoor cricket,’’ she said.
National under-20 coach Ben Peters said Kerr was excep- tionally talented and trained hard.
He said he was confident she would be playing at the top level within a few years.
All four New Zealand teams were beaten by Australian sides in the World Cup finals.
But there was more good news for Tawa when Daniel Rose was also named in a tournament team – for the under-20 men’s grade.
Melie Kerr’s magic run continued last weekend when she was named College Sport Wellington cricket sportswoman of the year.