Snehasis Mukherjee in Navi Mumbai
New Zealand are gearing up for the virtual quarter-final clash against India in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, with both teams eyeing the lone remaining semi-final spot. It has been a challenging campaign so far for the White Ferns.
After two back-to-back losses, they registered a win against Bangladesh, but their next two games in Colombo were washed out due to rain. With four points and a net run-rate of -0.245, they currently sit fifth on the table.
Young off-spinner Eden Carson has also had a tough campaign, managing just two wickets in five innings. Now, ahead of the must-win clash on October 23 in Navi Mumbai, the 24-year-old spoke exclusively to RevSportz about their preparation for the India match, what went wrong early in the tournament, Sophie Devine’s leadership, and which Indian batters she would love to dismiss.
How do you sum up the campaign so far? Difficult start with two losses, followed by a win, and then two back-to-back no results?
It is a little bit frustrating having had those rain-out results in Sri Lanka. However, we know we have got two important games coming up and we are just trying to focus on those ones. We know that they are very important games for us, must-wins for us to make it through to the semi-finals. So, our focus is on one game at a time.
According to you, what went wrong in the first two games – against Australia and South Africa?
It is tough coming up against the likes of Australia and South Africa first. I think there were a lot of learnings to come out of those games and a lot of positives as well. I think the first thing that comes to mind, however, is that the way that our batters dug deep through those middle overs in both the games after a little bit of a shaky start, it was really something positive to take forward into the next couple of games.
However, the last couple of games our batters have not had to bat because of the rain. I think it is never nice to lose the first two games in a World Cup, especially with this kind of format. But I think also with the format that it is, it is exciting because we have to play each team once. So, (I’m) always looking forward to the next game.
What were the chats in the dressing room after such a difficult start?
As a bowling unit, being more consistent with our line and lengths. I think we have seen throughout this tournament the way some of the other bowling units within the other teams have gone about their work. I think it is something that we are trying to do as well, more of an execution front for that. And then, with our batting, I think there have been so many positives. The way Sophie has come out and shown some real grit, the likes of Brooke Halliday as well. It has been really exciting to see.
Your equation with Sophie Devine – we love the videos that you put out on social media. Tell us about her as a skipper, and how she is off the field.
There is only one Sophie Devine, that is for sure. She is so unique and so great to have around this team and to be leading this team. I said to her, ‘Are you sure you really want to retire yet, the way you are performing?’ But no, she thinks that the time is right. So, we are all looking forward to seeing what the next chapter in her life holds as well after stepping down from ODIs.
But the way that she carries herself on and off the field is really humbling to see. I think she has changed my game immensely. She has a lot of belief and supports me personally as well as a lot of the other younger girls. Hence, it is great to have her as a leader within this team.
Your campaign so far — could it have been a bit better?
I would like to have contributed a bit more with the ball. However, there are other ways to contribute within the team, whether that is on or off the field. So, I try to do that with other aspects of our game and off the field.
I think also it just shows us as a bowling unit; our pace bowlers have been doing immensely well in conditions that people seem to think do not suit them. However, they have done so well with the conditions. And then the likes of Amelia as well have been great.
So, I would like to have contributed a bit more. But there are still two games, hopefully a couple more as well after that. I am looking to try to contribute a bit more within those games, whether that is with the ball or in the field. Hopefully not with the bat, but we will see.
For More Exciting Articles: Follow RevSportz
Virtual Quarter-final against India — how are you guys gearing up for the challenge? Did you keep an eye on the India versus England clash?
I think every one of us was watching that India-England game. Probably the first time that we have ever been cheering on England to win a game. So, it was good to see the England girls get one up over them and to help us strengthen our chances of a semi-final.
But we know that India are a dangerous side, especially on home soil. So, we know that they will be coming out hard. We have done the prep coming into this tournament. We played them a year ago and just lost that series 2-1. So, we know what we have to do to beat them. We know it is going to be a crazy atmosphere as well, especially here in Mumbai. So, I’m looking forward to the challenge.
Any particular Indian batter’s wicket you would like to pick up?
You cannot really go past the likes of Smriti Mandhana. I think she has been in great form, especially in that last game against England. She nearly took that game away from England. And then Deepti Sharma as well, another left-hander.
She has been batting really well too. So, I would like to have my name next to theirs on the scorecard. But we will just see. At this rate, I will probably take anyone.
Also Read: India fall short by four runs against England, Semifinal Hopes Suffer a Blow