Cricket: Iona College pupil Flora Devonshire wins chance to meet White Ferns

Flora Devonshire, of Iona College, was named the MVP at the under-15 girls' national cricket tourney in Whanganui early this month. Photo/supplied

She hasn't had any lofty ambitions in cricket but for Flora Devonshire that may change in the next few weeks.

That's because Devonshire, the most valuable player at the national under-15 girls' cricket tournament staged early this month at Whanganui, has won, as part of her prizes, a pass to spend a day in the changing room of the New Zealand women's team in March during the international series against the touring West Indies side.

"It'll be pretty exciting and cool to see what it's like," says the 14-year-old who was the only representative of the Central Districts age-group team from January 8-11.

A modest Devonshire knows the names of a few White Ferns but is especially looking forward to meeting captain Suzie Bates who also was a Tall Ferns basketball international.

The year 11-bound Iona College pupil doesn't know which game or venue she will be extended an invitation to but is keen to travel.

The White Ferns start their campaign with three ODIs at Lincoln, near Christchurch, from March 4-11 before hosting the Windies in four Twenty20 internationals at Tauranga, New Plymouth and Hamilton from March 14-25.

The CD U15 girls, who had Aniela Apperley of Havelock North Intermediate School as a non-travelling reserve, finished third at the under-15 tournament. But Devonshire came away with a cricket bat and a cellphone for her allround contribution on the grass-wicket park as they beat Otago, Northern Districts and Wellington counterparts but lost to champions Auckland who beat Christchurch Wizards (Canterbury) in the final.

Against Christchurch Wizards, the new-ball left-arm medium pacer claimed three wickets and executed just as many run outs on the second day of the 30-over matches.

"I also took a couple of wickets and scored 20 to 30 runs in other games."

Devonshire was outstanding with some stifling fielding at point.

Former CD Hinds player Esther Lanser was CD U15 coach and White Fern Hannah Rowe, of Palmerston North, was the team manager.

"I'm just playing for fun," says Devonshire, who was a member of the Havelock North CC boys' Superleague teams for the past five years.

Last week the teenager competed in the colts section of the annual Riverbend Cricket Camp tournament.

"Playing against boys, she says, raises the bar a little.