Kerr keen to solidify allrounder status with the bat
PERTH: She already has a double century to her name, but 18yearold Kiwi star Amelia Kerr does not believe she deserves to be labelled an allrounder just yet.
Kerr was just 17 years and 243 days old when she struck an unbeaten 232 off 145 balls in an ODI women’s match against Ireland last June.
That knock made her the youngest player — male or female — to strike a double century in international cricket.
But the talented leg spinner will not consider herself an all rounder until she becomes more consistent with the bat.
In 15 knocks in ODI cricket, Kerr has just two scores of note — the unbeaten 232, and an unbeaten 81.
Her 13 other scores are all under 31, and seven of them in single figures.
Kerr looms as a danger player for Australia in the threematch ODI series, starting at the WACA Ground today.
The rising star is keen to prove her double century was not a fluke.
‘‘I always wanted to be an allrounder and it’s something I’m still working on,’’ Kerr said.
‘‘I got the opportunity to open the batting that day, so I wanted to do something special. It was a pretty surreal day.
‘‘But I guess it was only one innings, and I’ve got to prove myself consistently at international level against the best sides in the world to feel like a genuine allrounder.’’
Australia has held the Rose Bowl Trophy since 2000, and New Zealand is keen to wrest it back.
‘‘I wasn’t even alive the last time we won it. It’s a really big deal for us,’’ Kerr said.
‘‘To win it would be really special.
‘‘We’ve got some of the world’s best players in Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates. So I think we’ve got to back ourselves and the depth in our squad to be able to challenge the Aussies.’’ — AAP