Knight selected for U19 World Cup

Kayley Knight

Kayley Knight will long remember 2022.

Poverty Bay and Northern Brave all-rounder Knight took her opportunities in India on the New Zealand women's cricket development tour last month and has earned selection for the NZ side to play in the inaugural Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in January.

She and her fellow Brave Tash Wakelin are in the 15-player squad under former White Fern Sara McGlashan. Assisting McGlashan will be Donovan Grobbelaar and leg-spinner Tarun Nethula. Former Auckland Ace Grobbelaar is a bowling coach with the u19s.

On the subcontinent, Knight gained more confidence in her ability to execute plans. Her stock ball, at pace, targets the top of off stick or fourth stump. What may prove invaluable, as a result of the tour, is her new appreciation that different batsmen and conditions require a bigger toolbox.

She said: “We knew before we went that Indian batsmen are strong outside off stump; against them, bowl straight. That's almost the opposite of what we try to do in New Zealand. We picked up on their movements forward, back, across, and worked out how best to bowl at them.

“We learned quickly and often got on top of them. We focused on being full and straight with lots of change-ups, such as slower balls. Now I want to work on my bouncer.”

Knight, who has proved able to adapt, understands her role is to bowl well in the middle of the innings and at “the death”.

“I ticked off what I'd been asked to do and proved that I could perform in my age-group, match other players at that level. The coaches were chuffed; now they want me to do more.

“I'm excited about the world cup, that people of my age will be on the world stage and to think that the talent that they have will be seen.”