Amelia Kerr marks surprise opposition as favourite cricketing challenge
Amelia Kerr has opened up on her career highlights to date and what playing cricket with her sister meant to her during her ICC 100% Cricket Superstars interaction.
Somewhat surprisingly, playing against India at ICC tournaments - and not New Zealand’s neighbouring rival Australia - was earmarked by Kerr as her favourite cricketing challenge.
“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,” Amelia said on ICC 100% Cricket Superstars.
Amelia Kerr — 100% Cricket Superstar | New Zealand's all-round talisman
Amelia went wicketless in her ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup debut against India in 2017, but starred in New Zealand’s subsequent win in the 2022 edition, with a brisk 50 and 3/56. She marked spin as a great challenge when going up against India.
“The ability to play spin well, especially in sub-continent conditions, I think that's a great challenge,” Amelia went on. “ 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.”
During their 2022 match-up, Amelia got the better of India’s star player Mithali Raj, beating the batter in the air and getting her stumped. She earmarked big wickets like these as her favourite dismissals.
New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr won the Player of the Match award for her performance against Sri Lanka at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
“My favourite (type of) wicket is when they haven't picked you. You beat someone through the gate," she said with a smile.
“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.”
Amelia started as a bowling all-rounder but is now a regular in the New Zealand top-order. She was merely 17 when she was asked to open the batting by her coach, and then went on to score a historic 232* against Ireland, the highest-ever score in Women’s ODIs.
Amelia believed it was the game that changed it all.
“The coach told me that I was opening the batting and I'd never opened the batting before. I was always in the lower order at that point, and I just wanted to make the most of the opportunity and do something special," she said.
Amelia went on to hit 31 fours and two sixes during the knock.
The boundary count’s inclination towards fours was reflective of Amelia’s playing style, who sees herself as a placement player rather than a power-hitter.
“The power game is probably not something I'm known for around the world. And, I mean, it's nice when you're batting with (New Zealand veteran) Sophie Devine, and you see her clearing the roof at the other end," she said.
“But for me, it's about placement and timing.”
Amelia described playing cricket with her sister Jess as an extraordinary feeling and looked back at her favourite sporting occasion with younger sibling.
“To represent your country with your sister is amazing. We always kind of share that moment when we sing the national anthem together. There’s something that's really special for us," Amelia said.
“One game that stands out a lot was after the series I came back from mental health, and we played India at home, and we chased down 280.
“And I was batting in the middle of Jess and I got a hundred that day and Jess hit the winning runs.”
Despite playing for New Zealand for years, the sisters had missed each other’s company on several occasions, making the India game memorable.
“We kind of had a few tours not being together through her being injured and my mental health," she added.
“So it just felt like a pretty special moment for the both of us and our family.”