Australian women cricketers Georgia Voll and Grace Harris have highlighted the threat posed by New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr, saying her ability across all facets of the game makes her a dangerous opponent. Australia are set to host a new-look New Zealand side in a home T20I series starting on Sunday in North Sydney, and they are well aware of the challenge Kerr presents. “Obviously, Amelia’s burst onto the scene as a young player, and the way she’s gone around the world and dominated for years,” Australian batter Voll said in a video shared by cricket.com.au ahead of the series opener.
The two players discussed Kerr’s ability to spin the ball both ways, keeping batters constantly guessing.
“With her bowling, she can turn it both ways, which is always a good threat to have,” Australia all-rounder Harris said, before Voll added, “Her leg-spinner and then her wrong’un have obviously been her danger balls for a long period of time.”
Harris said Kerr’s ability to vary her leg-spin with deliveries turning the other way makes her especially difficult to face.
“As a right-handed batter, if it’s going to turn away from you, you can set up for a particular delivery, but then she can negate that with the fact that she can turn it the other way, and she’s quite consistent in doing that,” Harris said.
Harris also highlighted how Kerr has consistently delivered in crucial moments for both New Zealand and various franchise teams over the years.
“She comes in for some key overs for New Zealand and for any franchise that she plays for, and she can often take that wicket that changes the momentum of the game. Given that she is pretty good in all facets of the game, that makes her pretty lethal,” she said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand arrive in Australia with a fresh-looking side. Veterans Sophie Devine, Lea Tahuhu and Suzie Bates have retired, and the White Ferns are now in a transition phase.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Kerr said the new-look New Zealand side would not carry any baggage from previous encounters with Australia.
“Everyone knows that Australia have been extremely successful in the women’s game for a long time now, and they have paved the way in women’s cricket,” Kerr said.
“But in saying that, we all know cricket is a very fickle game and we’ve got a group that probably hasn’t played Australia too much, which I think is a good thing because you don’t have that trauma of playing Australia.
“They’re the same as us. They’ve got two legs, two arms, and they’re playing the sport. We know that when we’re at our best, we’re capable of beating anyone in the world. I think that’s exciting for this group,” Kerr added.
