Amelia Kerr: The next big thing in New Zealand cricket
The New Zealand women’s cricket team are on a roll heading into the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 starting March 4 as they beat India in the recently-concluded ODI series 4-1 to prove that they are the team to be taken seriously with the showpiece event being held in their own backyard.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis, led by Sophie Devine, have an outstanding bunch of talent including the Kerr sisters – Jess and Amelia. Here’s a look at their promising all-rounder Amelia Kerr who would be eager to use the home conditions to her advantage in the World Cup.
Here’s all you need to know about Amelia Kerr
The spin all-rounder is arguably the best player to have represented New Zealand women and without a doubt, she is peaking at the right time ahead of the Women’s World Cup. The 21-year-old was the star of the ODI series against Mithali Raj & Co. and was impressive with both the bat and the ball.
She was adjudged the Player of the series for scoring 353 runs and taking seven wickets. The Wellington cricketer had played unbeaten knocks of 119 and 68 before contributing with 66 runs in the final game.
Former New Zealand batter Grant Elliot started mentoring Kerr when she had the first burst onto the scene at the highest level in 2016. Despite having made her debut in 2016, it was only in August 2018 that Amelia Kerr was awarded a central contract by New Zealand cricket following overseas tours to England and Ireland. She has been playing with her elder sister Jess Kerr who is also a handy medium pacer with the ability to provide breakthroughs at regular intervals.
It needs to be noted that the youngster also boasts of having an ODI double century to her name. She had scored an unbeaten 232 against Ireland in 2018. Amelia Kerr was also named the International Women’s ODI Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in March 2019.
Sports is in the blood of the Kerr sisters. While both of them are accomplished international cricketers, their parents – Jo and Robbie Kerr played domestic cricket for Wellington. In fact, the siblings’ grandfather Bruce Murray used to be a Test cricketer for New Zealand as well. Apart from that, their cousin sister Cilla Duncan played for New Zealand at international football.
