As the New Zealand White Ferns geared up to face the formidable Australian Women in Yellow in their upcoming ODI World Cup match, both captains, Sophie Devine and Tahlia McGrath, shared similar perspectives on Australia’s long-standing dominance.
It’s a stark fact: the White Ferns haven’t secured an ODI victory against Australia in over eight years. Yet, for New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, these statistics fade into insignificance on the World Cup stage.
“Thank you for highlighting that stat,” Devine remarked with a hint of humor during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference. “For us, it’s just another incredible opportunity. While we’re certainly aware of those figures, they don’t hold much weight in a World Cup. Past records and results are set aside. We genuinely relish every chance to compete against Australia – they’re like our ‘big sister’ in the cricketing world.”
Australia’s vice-captain, Tahlia McGrath, echoed this sentiment. “It’s indeed an impressive statistic. However, in a World Cup, which is arguably the toughest tournament to win, these records become irrelevant,” McGrath stated. “We share a fantastic rapport with New Zealand; it’s truly a friendly rivalry.”
Both players also found common ground regarding their impressions of the Holkar Stadium, set to host its inaugural women’s international fixture.
“We’ve thoroughly reviewed the data, and it strongly suggests this will be a high-scoring ground,” McGrath observed. “Walking onto the field, it already feels like an incredible stadium to play in.”
Devine concurred, adding, “That’s what makes this World Cup so intriguing. Many of these venues haven’t seen much women’s cricket recently, which adds an exciting element. I found the pitches here exceptionally flat, and the outfield appears to be in brilliant condition.”