Related Links
Playing 100 One-Day Internationals is a huge milestone in anyone’s books and last night a current White Fern became only the fifth New Zealand women’s representative to do so.
26 year old all-rounder Nicola Browne played her 100th ODI for the White Ferns in the team’s third match against England.
The vivacious and highly talented all-rounder is humble about her achievement. “I feel privileged to be the fifth New Zealand woman to have achieved this milestone. There are some impressive names before me,” Browne told www.blackcaps.co.nz.
The players who have reached the milestone previously were all well known and influential players of their time. Three former White Ferns captains are part of that elusive group. Debbie Hockley currently holds the top position for the most ODIs played for the White Ferns with 118; Haidee Tiffen is close behind with 117; and Emily Drumm on 101. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rebecca Rolls played 104.
Hockley played her first ODI in 1982 and it took her 18 years to reach 118. She has seen the game develop immensely during her cricketing career and has a feeling Browne will soon surpass her own record. “Records are made to be broken,” she said. “With the quantity of ODIs the girls play now you might even find some reach 150.
“I think anyone who’s played 100 games for their country shows good commitment, good fitness and a love of the game. It shows longevity. It’s really important to have people with that experience.”
Hockley said Browne has produced consistent performances during her career, and it is no surprise she has reached 100 games in less than eight years. “Anyone who plays at the top level consistently is a good thing. With Nic she’s still producing consistent performances with both bat and ball and that’s a big thing.
“Congratulations on the milestone and I hope she continues on.”
Haidee Tiffen, who played between 1999 and 2009 for the White Ferns said Browne should be very proud of her achievement. “Obviously it’s an outstanding achievement for Nic. It was something I was proud of when I reached it,” she said. “I just want to congratulate her on her career to date and I hope there’s another 100 games.”
Browne debuted in 2002 against Australia in Adelaide aged only 18, and Tiffen was also part of that team, led by another ODI centurion Emily Drumm. Browne took two wickets on debut. “She’s a pretty cool character. She’s certainly competitive and loves her sport. She’s had a great career which has gone from strength to strength,” Tiffen said. “We’ve got to make sure she plays another 100!”
Geoff Allott, General Manager of Cricket at NZC, also congratulated Browne on her achievement. "This represents a significant milestone for Nic and of course NZC. She is one of only a handful of White Ferns to have achieved such a feat since our official ODIs began in 1973 and we are extremely proud of her achievement,” he said. “Nic has been a consistent performer for New Zealand over a number of years and has been officially ranked the World's No 1 all-rounder. A strong performance towards a series win in England would be the perfect way to celebrate the occasion."
Browne however isn’t the only one close to the centurion milestone in the current White Ferns squad. Captain Aimee Watkins and top order batsman Sara McGlashan are not far off, currently sitting on 95 and 91 games respectively.
Although yesterday was special day for Browne, she is still keeping her eye on the ball and hopes she can deliver the goods in the third ODI against the English. “I’m pretty relaxed about the game actually. I’m really enjoying the team and my cricket at the moment, so it is great timing in that regard,” Browne said.
The White Ferns are currently two-one down in the ODI series after a six wicket loss last night at Derby. They have two more games to play in the series; the next game is tomorrow (NZ time) at Barnsley and then the final game at Lord’s on July 20.
