It has been 10 years since the White Ferns lifted the silverware in the Women’s World Cup at Lincoln and this weekend members of the squad will return to the ground once again to celebrate their achievements.
This weekend the former players will get together at the Lincoln facility. They will watch footage of their game, share stories of their cricketing highlights, enjoy a bbq and play some backyard cricket on Saturday.
In 2000 the White Ferns came into the World Cup as “the underdogs” according to former player Catherine Campbell and although their goal was to win the cup, they knew it was going to be a hard road against tournament favourites Australia. The last time the two teams met at a World Cup was in the final in India in 1997, with the green and golds taking the honours.
But that underdog status didn’t daunt the White Ferns. Although they lost to the trans-Tasman rivals in the opening game of the tournament the home town women played on and won all their games to make it to the final.
Campbell fondly recalls the final match against the Australians at Lincoln. It was played in front of the television cameras and had a crowd of over 4000 people. “We didn’t bat well in the final and were all out for 184,” Campbell said. “Ozzie were a big threat.”
But with careful fielding and some outstanding run outs the game wasn’t decided until the last over. Campbell played a role within the game, taking the prized scalp of well known Australian Zoe Goss. “Actually there were ebbs and flows in the final which added to the drama,” Campbell recalled. “It was a thrilling finish. It came down to a couple of good pieces of fielding and a third umpire run out.”
With five balls to go the Australians only needed four runs to win, however a stunning caught behind by wicketkeeper Rebecca Rolls put the silverware firmly in the New Zealanders’ hands. The White Ferns were greeted by fans on the pitch as they celebrated their win.
“It was a great feeling to have won the World Cup and this reunion is going to be a great chance to see how everyone has changed over the last 10 years and look back on our successes,” Campbell said.
New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan said it was a remarkable achievement and hopes the former players have a wonderful weekend. “It is great to see the reunion occurring to commemorate what is one of the great moments of cricket in New Zealand. The win in 2000 was a landmark for NZC, the White Ferns and our Lincoln facility.”
Former international Cricket Umpire David Quested was officiating at the final of the 2000 World Cup along side Peter Parker. Quested was standing at the end when Rolls took the match winning catch. “In my twenty years of umpiring that would have been one of the biggest highlights,” he said. “I remember Emily Drumm saying to me that it took far too long to put my finger up to signal a wicket! But I went through the usual process and then it was all over.”
Quested still has a cricket ball used in the final which was signed by both captains. “It was certainly a highlight for me and I hope they have a great weekend at the reunion,” he said.
Current White Fern Sara McGlashan was only 18 when the White Ferns won the World Cup. She said that squad set a bench mark for the next generation of White Ferns and McGlashan knows the current team can deliver the goods against the Australians this season. “I remember watching the final of the 2000 World Cup on the television and was ecstatic when they won,” she said. “We are playing the Australians here at home this season and we know we can lift the silverware in the Rose Bowl series this summer.”
