White Ferns’ secret weapon is only 16
White Ferns prodigy Amelia Kerr could be a game changer during this month’s Cricket World Cup in England, the team’s batting coach, Matthew Bell, says.
The 16-year-old may have only made her international debut in November, but she could be key to bringing home the cup.
The White Ferns played Australia in their first warmup match in Hampshire overnight.
Bell said the legspinner had kept calm since her selection and nothing had changed for the Tawa College student apart from some time out of the classroom.
Kerr is set to become the country’s youngest Cricket World Cup representative.
‘‘She could definitely surprise a few teams and batters. [We are] really excited about the prospect of her putting in some matchwinning performances for the White Ferns in this tournament.’’
That’s high praise from the former Black Cap, who thinks the fact Kerr is relatively unknown at international level will work in New Zealand’s favour.
The Wellingtonian has taken 10 wickets at an average of 22.9 and an economy rate of 3.9 in seven ODIS.
The team arrived in Hampshire this week, those coming from New Zealand joining up with several players who are in England playing county cricket in their offseason.
‘‘Fizzing to get all the group together again, that banter again has started up straight away and the girls are in a really good mindset and know what’s in front of us.
‘‘[We are] looking forward to achieving something pretty special at the end of the tournament,’’ Bell said.
Head coach Haidee Tiffen and Bell will be trialling most of their players in their three warmup matches against Australia, India and England.
’’Australia are a good outfit, but so are we so we will focus on what we have to do,’’ he said.
Ranked third, the White Ferns will face all seven other teams in group play before the top four advance to semifinals.
If they are to win it would be New Zealand’s third women’s World Cup crown, and first since a fondly remembered win on home soil in 2000.