2022 Women's World Cup: Bouncing Back With Spin?
Wobbly start, hearty bounce back. That is how the Aotearoa White Ferns World Cup campaign has played out so far and the joys of hosting a World Cup were evident in the alignment of Suzie Bates leading the kiwis to victory on a Dunner Stunner type of day. Some teams had half their games washed out by rain in the HBJ Shield, every team had at least three of 10 games washed out so there would have been efficiency in rainy-day activities.
Rain brought the game down to 27 overs each. Aotearoa restricted Bangladesh to 140/8 with Amy Satterthwaite's 3w @ 5rpo the highlight. Aotearoa chased the tally down in 20 overs, only losing the wicket of Sophie Devine. Bates smacked 79* (116.17sr) and Amelia Kerr's 47* (127sr) now takes her to 413 runs @ 103.25avg/98.8sr in 2022.
Hamilton will host Aotearoa's next game against India on Thursday. India wound up beating Pakistan rather easily, thanks to Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastraker batting down the order. Rana hit 53* (110.4sr) and Vastraker hit 67 runs (113.55sr) after Pakistan chipped away at the top order. India cruised to victory in their bowling innings as spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad took 4w @ 3.10rpo.
This leads me to a timely juncture. Across the Niche Cache's written stuff, two podcasts a week on the main platforms and weekly podcasts for the Patreon Whanau I have been working out the spin thing in Aotearoa. Cricket freaks know all the moments of spin selection in Aotearoa, we know the respective journeys of the cluster of top-tier spinners over the past decade. All of which was amplified when Ajaz Patel dabbled in Mumbai magic then Bangladesh defeated Aotearoa at Bay Oval (see below). Oh and Keshav Maharaj loves Aotearoa.
As noted, Papatuanuku and Ranginui have been the winners this summer as rain has/is impacting plenty of cricket. Dunedin still offered the slow bowlers the most for Aotearoa though and I'm curious how this fits into wider ponderings. Such as how simple geography suggests that grounds in the northern regions are drier, thus being a smidge (or more) more inclined to assist spinners. Hamilton, Tauranga and Whangarei being the main culprits.
Let's keep this in the White Ferns/World Cup context. Satterthwaite took the most wickets, while Frances Mackay (1w @ 4rpo) was crafty and A-Kerr (4.66rpo) played her role nicely. Props to skipper Deinve as Aotearoa adjusted to the pitch after the seamers weren't as effective as they were against West Indies early in the innings. Three spinners then came on and Jess Kerr showcased her variations as well.
White Ferns seamers were better than the spinners at Bay Oval - it's confusing. West Indies spinners were their best bowlers in that game to add further spice.
This offers many more tangents to explore including the impact of spin on this World Cup. Boil it down further to the role of spin in a game against India in Hamilton. At Bay Oval, India didn't bowl seamer Vastrakar and their bowling unit consisted of two seamers, three spinners. The last game at Seddon Park was Australia's win over England in which Australia jacked up 310/3 and England gave their chase a nudge, scoring 298/8.
So many runs. Big runs and big run chases feel like staples of Blackcaps games in Hamilton. England also conceded 310 runs using four seamers, one spinner. Spinner Jess Jonassen took the last two England wickets and leggy Alana King was Australia's best bowler (3w).
Aotearoa adjusted well against Bangladesh, which meant not using Hannah Rowe as a seamer. Selecting Fran Jonas for a World Cup opener felt stink and a better scenario to deploy Jonas may be alongside experienced troopers A-Kerr and Mackay. Include Satterthwaite and there are four funky spinners working with three seamers, plus the low key seam of Devine. Or Satterthwaite plays as the third spinner - all good.
Of course it would be handy to have Leigh Kasperek. That's been well yarned through here, it's already been stashed away in the kete (woven basket) of White Ferns shenanigans. Keep it moving and grooving in the present moment with the parameters provided. Aotearoa now needs a bowler to emerge as a leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Maybe it's a spinner, maybe it's a seamer. Maybe it's more a case of multiple bowlers dominating.
Spin is top of my mind right now and Aotearoa will face South Africa next Thursday in Hamilton. Seddon Park and Bay Oval (Cobham Oval isn't hosting any WC games) are cricketing castles of Northern Districts, the land where you will catch three of Aotearoa's best spinners playing together in any format; Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Joe Walker. Only Northern have that. Only Northern can do that.
The next step in this White Ferns journey is an enticing challenge against India and there is a high chance that the best spin bowling unit, as well as the best batters against spin could decide the contest. Otherwise this is just another fun game of World Cup cricket and having fun is cool, so have fun.
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Peace and love.