The countdown is on for the White Ferns to the World Cup in the West Indies. New Zealand’s best women’s cricketers fly out for the tropical paradise at the end of the month.
Blackcaps.co.nz caught up with White Ferns captain Aimee Watkins to find out how preparations are going and bowl her a few googlies.
1. What’s your best experience from a World Cup and how is this one going to be different? Last year we had two World Cups and came second in both which was a good experience, but this one is going to be different, we are striving to win it.
2. What are some of the challenges you face as captain? You are playing a different team every day and you’re not sure who you’ll play in the finals, so the plans for that can be quite challenging.
3. Who’s your biggest competition at the World Cup? We’ve got to get through the pool stage against India, Pakistan and Sri Linka first. We’ve played India in a Twenty20, but not the other sides in our pool, so we will have to do a bit of scouting when we first arrive. The other pool has England, Australia, South Africa and West Indies.
4. You’ve got some new faces within the side, how will you make them feel part of the team? We have an initiation for the new players which are a lot of fun. They have all been around on the domestic scene for a while so everyone knows everyone. Those who have been in the side for a while forget what it’s like to be new, so we make a real effort to do some team bonding like having a meal together.
5. What kind of preparation is happening leading up to the World Cup? We had a camp at Lincoln last weekend, where we played two Twenty20 games against a Canterbury invitational side. Then we train on our own until we leave for the West Indies later this month. We’ve got two warm up games before we play our first World Cup game on May 6.
6. What are some of the goals that have been set for the World Cup? The goal setting took place over the weekend, and was a good chance for all of us to get together and map a pathway to the finals.
7. What is the best thing about going on tour with the girls? And what’s the hardest thing going on tour with the girls?! The best thing is we all love playing cricket and although it’s hard work, it’s good fun. The hardest thing is being away from family. Three weeks isn’t that long but sometimes you can get sick of your roomy! We will be together 24/7 and will have to stick together the whole time. Eat, train, play and sleep is all we’ll be doing!
8. Have you been to the West Indies before? What are you looking forward to the most? None of us have been to the West Indies before so it’s going to be awesome experiencing a new culture.
Googly questions
1. Who is the worst room mate and who is the best? Suzie Bates has to be the worst! She takes ages straightening her hair and doing her make up and you can never get into the bathroom! Nic Browne is the best. She’s always got food and you can help yourself.
2. What would you like to say to the opposition? Bring it on!
3. What’s your favourite snack while you are on tour? We always hang out for a nice ice cream or a good dessert. We don’t get it often but it would have to be a mud cake or banoffee pie! Yum!
4. If you were a performer, what would your stage name be and why? Isn’t it meant to be your first pet and your mother’s maiden name? That would make me Raz Phillips.
5. If you could be anyone (alive/dead, famous/not famous, real/fictional) who would you be and why? I’d be one of the creators of google or facebook. They came up with something so simple while they are still young and are really rich!
Message for the fans
Tune in when we make it to the semi finals and the finals. We need your support. Bring it on!
