The Women's Cricket World Cup is set to begin next month in Aotearoa, after being postponed by a year because of the pandemic.
White Ferns Sophie Devine says she cannot wait to play at home. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
The New Zealand team was announced this morning at Hagley Oval, in Christchurch.
After the team announcement today, the White Ferns joined together to sing a waiata.
They were proud to not only be named in the national side but for a home tournament on the world stage.
It will be captain Sophie Devine's fourth World Cup - and she cannot wait to play at home.
"I think the advantage is ... every game we play is going to be a home game for us, for someone in that team, they would've played so many games there," she said.
"We will be able to use local knowledge - whether it's the wind blowing a certain way, the pitch conditions, line lengths - I don't think you can underestimate how important that's going to be.
"For Maddy Green, she says she knows where all the good coffee spots are, so that's a good bonus!"
Head coach Bob Carter said choosing the team was difficult because depth in women's cricket had grown in recent years.
"I think it's an exciting 15 that we've picked," Carter said.
"There were difficult calls to make to those who missed out and I really feel for them ... that's not easy.
"But then, of course, there's the excitement of the 15 calls, or 14 calls actually, because I forgot to ring Brooke."
The squad was announced this morning. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
Batter Brooke Halliday is excited to be playing in her first World Cup - even if the way she found out was a little unusual.
"I just kinda made the assumption that Bob was a busy man and it was going to happen at some point ... then Wednesday came along and there was still no phone call," she said.
"But I got added to the Whatsapp group by our manager Bea and it was [called] 'World Cup Squad', so I kind of figured at that point I must've made it!"
Halliday said she was reassured this was the case once she had confirmation of flights down to Christchurch for today's announcement.
"I hit up Bob on Monday when we were [on a team retreat] in Akaroa and was like 'you never phoned me' and he said 'I knew it was someone, I just didn't know who!'"
The team is mixture of experienced players and young prospects, with 17-year-old Fran Jonas - fresh out of high school - the youngest player in the side.
"It's definitely always a great opportunity and to represent your country is something that doesn't happen every day," she said.
"I'm very grateful and excited to be here ... [the team] is very supportive and it's a great bunch to be around."
A call is yet to be made on whether any crowds will be at the matches. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock
And try as they might, there was no escaping the talk of Covid-19, which continues to make its presence felt.
A call is yet to be made on whether any crowds will be at the matches, but Sophie Devine said the team was trying not to focus on it.
"We'd certainly love to have crowds in and supporting us but whether we get crowds in there physically or not, we know that we're going to have the support of family, friends and hopefully, the rest of New Zealand behind us too," she said.
"I think we all know Covid is running its own race a little bit, so we've just got to be really flexible.
"If we can have crowds, we're absolutely going to love it. If not, we're just going to have to, you know, put on a show through the TV."
Whether the crowds are packed onto the embankment or watching from home, the White Ferns hope they will be back at Hagley Oval for the final in April.
