Kerr copes with her isolated existence
‘‘We could be going for the world record of Covid tests.’’ Amelia Kerr
The well-worn tag of ‘teenage White Ferns cricket star’ won’t apply to Amelia Kerr much longer. Nearly four years on from her international debut, Kerr turns 20 on October 13. And, much like her career, this birthday will be anything but ordinary with no family or close friends to assist with the festivities.
For starters, Kerr will be in Australia in between cricketing assignments for the White Ferns and her Brisbane Heat team that defends its Women’s Big Bash League title in a three-venue Sydney hub, starting October 25.
Kerr was at Wellington Airport at 5am on Wednesday for the flight to Brisbane, and won’t return to New Zealand and undergo the mandatory two-week Covid-19 quarantine until early December.
‘‘We’ve got quite a few September and October babies in the White Ferns so there will be a few birthdays but mine is after the New Zealand tour finishes,’’ Kerr said.
At least Kerr’s older sister, Jess, was alongside as the 17-woman White Ferns crossed the Tasman to face world champions Australia in three T20s and three Rose Bowl ODIs in Brisbane between September 26 and October 7. It’s their first competitive match since the four-run loss to Australia which ended their Twenty20 World Cup hopes in Melbourne on March 2.
After the upcoming series, Jess Kerr and others not playing the WBBL return home for their own fortnight of quarantine, turning a short six-match tour into a six-week marathon.
For Kerr and White Ferns teammates Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu, Amy Satterthwaite and Maddy Green playing the WBBL, a three-month stint in an Australian cricketing bubble awaits.
That’s a slightly daunting prospect for Kerr whose tight-knit family have been a constant support in her rapid cricketing rise, with mother Jo and father Robbie regular travellers.
‘‘They’ll be back home watching. Mum will be gutted because no holiday for her, but Dad prefers to watch cricket on TV. Three months away is a long time when nobody can come over from New Zealand,
but we’ve got FaceTime at least.’’
The Ferns had their first training in Brisbane on Thursday which they’re permitted to do in isolation. At the gates they underwent temperature checks and then hit the training field where hand sanitising is mandatory and sharing of cricket balls is a no-no.
Then there’s the Covid tests up the nose. Kerr had one during the first New Zealand lockdown when she had a cold, then one before departure and another on arrival in Brisbane. They face another test at the end of their fortnight of quarantine camp.
‘‘We could be going for the world
record of Covid tests. It’s not too bad and it’s different for each person. I didn’t find it horrendous but some absolutely hated it.’’
The White Ferns are on a separate floor of their hotel and use the service lift to get to and from training. Any trips outside the hotel are banned, which means no cafes,
restaurants, bars or even trips to the supermarket.
No cafes? ‘‘Katey Martin loves her coffee. We’re allowed three pieces of luggage and she sacrificed one bag and took over her coffee machine for us. Everyone has bought their own coffee beans to order from the Martin Cafe.’’
Kerr is excited about a return to cricket which, with the T20 Super Smash scheduled to start around Christmas followed by a mooted triseries with Australia and England to replace the postponed Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, means potential for six months solid on the pitch. Kerr has itchy feet in her cricketing spikes now, but she enjoyed lockdown and a Wellington winter with other things to focus on.
One highlight was a glimpse of a post-cricket career, following sister Jess who teaches at Tawa Intermediate.
‘‘I did some online study and started two days a week at Tawa Intermediate as a teacher aide, working with autistic kids and I absolutely love it.
‘‘It was awesome, a nice balance for me, to have that time at home and do something different I’m passionate about.’’
Then there’s Kerr’s legspin craft, which reaped her 82 wickets from 64 matches for the White Ferns: 32 T20s and 32 ODIs.
There’s no mystery delivery to unveil, but Kerr believes she’s an even better bowler for the long layoff and time in the nets.
‘‘I could lie and say that I have [a mystery delivery], but no, I’ve been practising a lot on my legspinner and getting it turning a bit more as well as the consistency of my wrong ‘un.
‘‘Just little tweaks like angles of the run up, and natural variation and different grips rather than a new ball.’’
Her friend from Wellington Blaze, Deanna Doughty, is the only uncapped Fern on tour and is also a legspinner with the pair eager to bowl in tandem.
Australia are daunting opponents at home, having hoisted the T20 World Cup in March and held the ODI Rose Bowl since 2000. Kerr also has silverware to cling on to after that, with the Heat and Blaze both defending their women’s T20 titles after she played a significant role in their victories last summer.
‘‘I loved my time with the Heat last year.
‘‘We’ve lost some key players – Beth Mooney [Scorchers] and Sammy-Jo Johnson [Thunder], and Kirby Short our captain who was a great leader. I’m just excited to play.’’