"Playing India at World Cups always a great challenge" - Amelia Kerr
New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr has described playing India at World Cups as a great challenge. She earmarked India's ability to play spin and the fact that the crowds are always behind the Women in Blue irrespective of where they play as the two reasons behind her choice.
Still only 23, Kerr has already established herself as one of the prime all-rounders in white-ball cricket. In 74 ODIs, she has scored 2082 runs and has claimed 91 wickets with her leg-spin. In T20Is, she has 1108 runs to her name from 76 matches and 73 scalps.
Speaking to ICC 100% Cricket Superstars, Kerr opened up on her favorite cricketing challenge and commented:
“I think playing at World Cups, playing India is something I think that's always a great challenge because wherever you are in the world, they get a crowd that is supporting them. And spin is key for them."
While the New Zealand star did not pick up any wickets on her World Cup debut against India in 2017, she scored 50 and claimed 3-56 when the teams clashed in 2022. Elaborating on the challenge of facing India in ICC events, she said:
“The ability to play spin well, especially in sub-continent conditions, I think that's a great challenge. And they’ve got some world-class (players), so I think for me that’s a key match-up and playing them is always a challenge."
The New Zealand all-rounder has featured in 10 ODIs against India, scoring 444 runs and claiming 13 wickets. In T20Is, the 23-year-old has played six matches against India, picking up eight wickets and scoring 51 runs.
"My favorite wicket is when they haven't picked you" - Amelia Kerr
It is no secret that for spinners outfoxing batters with guile and variations gives them a different kind of high. Kerr is no different. Asked about the kind of wickets she enjoys the most, the New Zealand all-rounder replied:
“My favorite (type of) wicket is when they haven't picked you. You beat someone through the gate. And I guess probably the wickets that mean the most is when they're game-changing, of one of the best players in the team, and you kind of make a breakthrough with something special."
In the 2022 ODI World Cup match against India, Kerr got the big scalps of Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh. Mithali ran down the track, was beaten in flight and ended up getting stumped. Ghosh was bowled by a googly, while Harmanpreet holed out to long-off.