More to come, says Kerr
White Fern Amelia Kerr says we may not have seen her best, despite blitzing a world record with the bat in July.
Kerr quickly rose to stardom with the national team this year, when she blasted a world record 232 not out off 145 balls against Ireland.
Just a few months on, the dust has settled and the team is off for its first trans-tasman battle of the summer with Australia, with a three-match Twenty20 series starting on Saturday.
Speaking from Wellington Airport, Kerr said her world record innings is something she will never forget, but it doesn’t mean the 17-year-old has peaked.
‘‘It was a pretty special day, I guess, and I think it was a bit surreal.
‘‘By the time I got back to New Zealand it had all really died down and I didn’t really dwell on it for too long.’’
She says she would love to smash double-tons like that over and over. Time will soon tell if she can.
On that day, she also snared career best figures of 5-17 to produce the finest all-round performance in the history of one-day international cricket. All five of her wickets were bowled.
She keeps level headed, more than most her age.
‘‘I am surrounded by my family who probably care more about how I carry myself as a person than my actual performance. It’s quite nice that my family keep me grounded.’’
Since the series in Britain, Kerr had been playing in England and returned home at the start of the month. Linking up with the White Ferns felt good, she said.
‘‘I’ve had some really good
At a glance
September 29, North Sydney Oval, Sydney October 1, Allan Border Field, Brisbane; October 5, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Watkin training so feeling ready to go. I think it was just good to see each other again after a long time not having any contact, so it was good to regroup, get in some game time and work with the coaches again.’’
Kerr’s main goal in the sport isn’t to be an individual remembered for her personal feats in the game. She just wants to blend in and help the side win games.
‘‘I guess I want to be a genuine all-rounder for New Zealand in both formats of the game.
‘‘I just want to contribute to the team’s performance consistently, be a key player for the White Ferns, someone they can rely on in pressure situations.’’
She believes the women’s game is improving and T20 is the format growing at the quickest rate.
She doesn’t promise she will stick around for the White Ferns, but so far scheduling between PSL matches and internationals has worked.
‘‘Playing for my country is the most important thing for me. Playing in an IPL is something I would like to do.
‘‘I love the White Ferns. It is a great environment to be involved in and I think that it’s nice because I get along with the younger players, and I have made some really good friends. But, also, the senior players are awesome.’’
White Ferns T20 series v Australia:
New Zealand: