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Brendon Egan

Otago Sparks coach Craig Cumming believes Kate Ebrahim could be the solution to the White Ferns’ opening batting issues for the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

New Zealand’s all-time leading women’s ODI runscorer Suzie Bates (4605) will be a lock for one of the opening roles. Who will partner her for the pinnacle event on home soil, which begins on March 4, is up for debate.

Ebrahim hasn’t played an ODI since July 2018, but the 30-year-old has made a brilliant start with her new side, Otago, joining from the Canterbury Magicians.

Dunedin is now home for Ebrahim, husband Dion, who is in his first season coaching the Otago Volts men’s team, and 21-month-old daughter Sophia.

Opening alongside Bates, Ebrahim has posted scores of 96 not out, 22, 66, and 56 in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 50-over competition, pushing her into White Ferns’ World Cup contention.

New Zealand’s 15-player squad is set to be named in late January. Ebrahim could be battling with Auckland’s Lauren Down and Canterbury’s Frankie Mackay for one World Cup spot.

‘‘You’ve also got to have someone who can cover the top order when it comes to your squad and if you look around I don’t think anyone has scored more runs than she has the last two years [in women’s domestic cricket],’’ Sparks coach and former New Zealand opener Cumming said.

For the record, Ebrahim was the leading Hallyburton Johnstone Shield run scorer in her last season with Canterbury in 2020-21 with 480 at 60, including two centuries. She is second equal for 50-over runs to start the season, notching 240 at 80. It didn’t hurt that she was batting with Bates, Cumming said, adding that ‘‘to play at that next level you’ve got to be able to access the off side and be very strong through the offside because you’ve got quality bowlers who look to bowl in those good areas’’.

‘‘That’s her genuine strength.’’ Ebrahim hasn’t played an ODI in three years, but did represent New Zealand in two T20s against England in Wellington in March, where she batted at eight and didn’t bowl in either match.

Her ODI career batting numbers don’t leap off the page, averaging 10.64 with a highest score of 24 from 31 matches. She had also captured 20 ODI wickets at 36 with her right-arm mediums.

Ebrahim believed she was a better cricketer for those tough experiences and if granted another chance in the ODI side was ready to seize the opportunity. ‘‘I’m always available. It’s everyone’s dream to play for their country and to represent New Zealand, especially at a home World Cup. I can only really control what I can control and that’s my attitude and my [approach to] cricket, in regards to the work I put in.

‘‘It would be hugely special to be here in New Zealand and represent New Zealand at the home World Cup.’’

T20 Super Smash, tomorrow, University Oval, Dunedin:

10.10am: Otago Sparks v Central Hinds (women)

1.40pm: Otago Volts v Central Stags (men)

Sport

en-nz

2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://stuff.pressreader.com/article/282531546673079

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