The countdown is on for the Twenty20 World Cup and Hamiltonian Natalie Dodd can’t wait to challenge the best players in the world.
The 17 year old is the only White Fern still at school. Although she is young, she has a mature, dedicated head on her shoulders and is willing to step up to the mark to prove she’s got what it takes to represent New Zealand on the world stage.
Dodd has already travelled with the White Ferns this year, heading across the ditch to face the Australians in February for the Rose Bowl series. The right arm spin bowler and right hand batsman will be getting another stamp in her passport at the end of the month when she flies to the West Indies for the Twenty20 World Cup.
It’s a tough life juggling school work with international sport; however she is getting through it with the support of her family, school and friends. “I think they are more excited about the World Cup than I am!” Dodd laughed. “I’ve never played international Twenty20 before, so that could be interesting. I think I need to get over the awe of it and focus on what I’ve got to do. It’s going to be an interesting experience.”
She’s the captain of the Waikato Diocesan School for girls’ first XI, a top performing student and gets up at the crack of dawn to train. She was first selected for the Northern Spirit at age 14 and has been a strong part of the side ever since. Dodd’s progression into the international side seems a natural one; however she’s had a little bit of help along the way from fellow Spirit and White Fern Nicola Browne. “We always give each other a bit of stick! But we are always looking out for each other which is really good,” she said. “We train together and push each other.”
The White Ferns leave New Zealand in late April for the Caribbean. They play two warm up games against Australia and the West Indies in St Kitts before their first game against India on May 6.
Quick questions
1. How did you get involved with cricket? My dad got me into it. He got me bats and cricket gear and I decided I liked cricket from there
2. What are you looking forward to the most regarding the World Cup? Getting to know the girls and playing some of my favourite music for them!
3. You are off to university next year - what are you going to study? I’m going to become a primary teacher. I love to take them out for P.E and teach the girls how to throw properly! I wanted a job that would make a difference to people’s lives.
4. What’s your secret talent? I can do the Donald Duck voice and I’m quite good at drawing
5. Who’s your sporting icon? I like Michael Clarke – not because of his looks though! He’s a really good player and a hard worker and I like how he handled the media. That was pretty cool.
6. Who’s your favourite women’s cricket? Nicola Browne, but don’t tell her that!
