White Ferns vice captain Amy Satterthwaite is predicting a tight contest but believes they have the firepower to take out the Women’s ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies.
Although she is acknowledged as one of the leading all-rounders in women’s cricket, Satterthwaite was quick to highlight two other talented all-rounders as the ones to watch. “Probably Sophie Devine. She’s been in good form with both the bat and ball and is dynamic in the field.
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“Suzie Bates is another one who is quality in all three disciplines. They are both very dynamic in all areas so I’m tipping them to be huge contributors during the tournament.”
The teams chances are boosted by the return of another hard hitting all rounder, Lucy Doolan, who missed the recent year’s Rose Bowl series against Australia due to a knee injury. “It’s great to have Lucy back in the squad,” Satterthwaite said. “She brings a different skill set and has been a top performer for the White Ferns.”
Satterthwaite believes her team, who are in Group B with India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, have the right mix to go all the way.
“It’s a well balanced squad with top quality seamers in Sophie Devine and Nicola Browne as well as the slow bowlers who will play a crucial part on the slow tracks in the West Indies.
“We also have boundaries hitters like Lucy Doolan, Aimee Watkins and Sophie Devine so it’s a strong team,” she added.
The White Ferns made the final of the inaugural Women’s ICC World Twenty20, losing by six wicket to hosts England, but recent form suggests they can go one better.
“We’ve won nine of the last ten matches so that shows we’ve got the right kind of form behind us. I definitely think we’ve to a great chance of bringing back the trophy and have been proving that with our recent success,” she concluded.
The squad fly out to the Caribbean on Thursday and will play warm-up matches against Australia and the West Indies before their first match against India.
Warm up matches
2/05/2010 White Ferns vs Australian - Warm up match
Molyneaux, St Kitts
+1day NZ, 2:00am
3/05/2010 White Ferns vs West Indies - Warm up match
Molyneaux, St Kitts
+1day NZ, 6:00am
