New Zealand captain Sophie Devine insists her team is not at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to make up the numbers and wants to go well after their 2020 group-stage exit.
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“Like every other team that’s here – we’re here to win it,” Devine said in a column for the ICC.
Speaking to the ICC ahead of the tournament, Devine had his sights set on history for the White Ferns. Not only making the last four but finishing better than their two runners-up in 2009.
“We know what it takes to win games of cricket. And the style of play that can help us achieve it. Now it’s up to us to do that game after game under the pressure of the World Cup.” be able to.”
Preparations for the tournament have been disrupted. After Devine sustained a stress fracture in his foot in New Zealand’s Super Smash T20 tournament.
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Coach Ben Sawyer confirmed to reporters that the skipper would not sit out the White Ferns’ warm-up games ahead of their first match against Australia on February 11. And instead, Devine is focusing on the team’s prospects and said the tournament has a strong running time.
Devine said, “We are lucky that the World Cup is at the end of our home summer, so we have played a lot of cricket recently.”
We feel as prepared as ever
“We’re all playing the (New Zealand domestic T20 tournament) Super Smash…as well as the T20 and ODI series against Bangladesh before Christmas. So we feel as prepared as ever.”
While Devine and fellow opener Suzie Bates have a wealth of global tournament experience. The site is undergoing a generational change, with a number of youngsters finding their feet in the senior international game.
Several players will be participating in a global tournament for the first time. The team has been bolstered by the return of 29-year-old Bernadine Bezuidenhout.
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Suzie Bates and Mellie Kerr are going to be key players
“Our experienced players like Suzie Bates and Melie Kerr are going to be key players. But I’m really excited about what’s coming from our young guns like Fran Jonas and Georgia Plimmer – both playing in the U19 World Cup and definitely will be The future of the White Ferns,” continued Devine.
“It’s an exciting time for Molly Penfold and Eden Carson who are participating in their first ICC World Cups, and we also welcome back wicketkeeper-batsman Bernadine Bezuidenhout, who has spent the last two years away from the game.
“We have selected a squad that gives us plenty of options with the ball, particularly in the spin department. And with the bat, we have experience throughout our squad which will hold us in good stead in this pinnacle competition.”
Devine acknowledged the collective talent across the region in looking at challengers for the contest and identified key individuals as favorites of the contest.
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Nat Sciver and Ellyse Capsy have shown in recent days how talented they are
“We know the other teams are very strong. England’s Nat Sciver and Ellyse Capsy have shown in recent days how talented they are and will play a big part in this tournament,” Devine said.
“To see Meg Lanning back for the Australian team is great for the tournament and the women’s game.”
Perhaps most importantly, however, is that Devine understands the importance of her position as an international cricket captain in an era of immense progress in the sport.
Making his international debut in 2006, Devine has featured in all seven T20 World Cups to date, citing the format as integral to the development of the game.
