New White Fern focused on Super Smash title
Jess Kerr has already had one moment to remember this week and would love to add another.
The Wellington Blaze seamer was selected in a White Ferns squad for the first time on Thursday, for the ODI series against South Africa that begins next Saturday.
But before she can worry about that, Kerr has to help the Blaze try to win the Twenty20 Super Smash final at the Basin Reserve in the capital today.
No team has beaten the Blaze so far this season, and they will be favourites to claim a third straight title when they play the Auckland Hearts.
Yet there’s chance of the defending champions will be getting ahead of themselves – and Kerr acknowledges there will be added pressure as they try to make it 11 wins out of 11.
‘‘We’ve just been taking every game on the day,’’ she said.
‘‘We know that any team can beat us on any day, and we’re not trying to think about being unbeaten, we’re just focusing on what we can do right, and it’s been paying off so far, so hopefully we can do that once more, even though it is a final with a bit more pressure.’’
Kerr finished the Super Smash round-robin with 19 wickets at an average of 10.47, the most of any bowler in the competition, pipping her sister, White Ferns legspinner Amelia, by one.
That was three times as many as the 22-year-old had managed in each of the last two seasons, and she said there were several factors behind her breakthrough campaign.
‘‘I definitely think a year’s more experience has helped, and playing alongside five other White Ferns and other experienced Blaze players has also helped.
‘‘I focused a lot this year on my fitness and getting my body right from injuries, and I’ve just had days where it’s been going my way, luckily.’’
Kerr’s form was rewarded with a White Ferns callup, which means she is now in line to make her international debut before the month is out.
‘‘I’m still lost for words, really,’’ she said.
‘‘If you’d told me a couple of months ago that I would have been selected in the squad, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
‘‘It seemed real when it all came out, but I don’t really have the words to describe how happy I am.’’
Kerr said it was special to be in a national squad alongside her 19-year-old sister, Amelia, who has been a regular in the White Ferns since 2016.
‘‘If anything she’s probably kept me in the game of cricket and got me playing competitively again.
‘‘I’ve loved playing in the Blaze with her, but to represent our country together – that’s something that doesn’t really happen often, so I’m very happy and excited to be playing alongside her.’’
The Blaze won the domestic Twenty20 competition in 2017-18 by topping the ladder after a double round-robin, then defended their title in 2018-19 by edging the Canterbury Magicians in a decider.
Kerr was in the middle as that match at Eden Park Outer Oval went down to the wire, hitting a crucial three when the Blaze needed four runs off the final two balls.
She said the team’s experience in high-pressure situations would serve them well today.
‘‘Last year we had quite a few close games, which is really good pressure for us. We’re quite an experienced side so hopefully we can all respond well to pressure.’’
The women’s final will be followed by the men’s final between the Wellington Firebirds and the Auckland Aces.