Young Ferns star Kerr seeking consistency
She’s already got a double century to her name, but 18-year-old Kiwi star Amelia Kerr doesn’t feel like she deserves to be labelled an all-rounder 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 saw her become the youngest ever player – male or female – to strike a double century in international cricket.
But the talented legspinner won’t consider herself an allrounder 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, with seven of those in single figures.
Kerr looms as a danger player for Australia ahead of the three-match ODI series, starting at the Waca in Perth today.
The rising star is keen to prove her double century wasn’t a fluke.
‘‘I always wanted to be an all-rounder 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 all-rounder.’’ Australia have held the Rose Bowl Trophy since 2000, and New Zealand are keen to wrestle 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.’’