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Key Points

New Zealand women's cricket team is making the most of their Chennai training camp ahead of the ODI World Cup. Coach Ben Sawyer highlights the benefits of practicing in spin-friendly conditions during New Zealand's winter. The squad includes World Cup winners and emerging players gaining valuable experience. The team will further prepare with matches in Dubai before the tournament begins.

Key Points: Ben Sawyer Praises NZ Women's Chennai Camp Ahead of World Cup

  • NZ women's team training in Chennai for ODI World Cup prep
  • Spin-friendly CSK Academy aiding player development
  • Emerging talents like Izzy Sharp part of the camp
  • Team to play England in Dubai before World Cup
2 min read

It's been an amazing experience so far, says Sawyer on NZ camp in Chennai ahead of WC

New Zealand coach Ben Sawyer calls Chennai training camp "amazing" as team prepares for Women's ODI World Cup in spin-friendly conditions.

"It's been an amazing experience so far – Ben Sawyer"

Chennai, Aug 10

Head coach Ben Sawyer, who is overseeing New Zealand women’s camp in Chennai as part of preparation for the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, said the experience so far of practicing in spin-friendly conditions at the Chennai Super Kings Academy has been an amazing one.

Seam-bowling allrounder Jess Kerr, batters Georgia Plimmer and Brooke Halliday, who were in the New Zealand team winning last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup, are a part of the ongoing trip in Chennai. Izzy Sharp, Flora Devonshire and Emma McLeod are also present in the squad as emerging players.

"Yeah, 100% correct. It's currently winter in New Zealand, there's no cricket and we're nearly two months out of the World Cup. So, to have that prep time in India, we've been able to bring seven contracted players and then three of our players of interest along. So, the girls that we think will play lots of cricket in India in the future as well. So yeah, it's been an amazing experience so far," Sawyer was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Sunday.

After the camp in Chennai, the New Zealand squad will return home before likely travelling to Dubai for a one-day series against England in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup starting on September 30. The experience of playing in stifling conditions of Chennai and Dubai would help players in preparing for similar challenges during the eight-team tournament.

"It's hugely beneficial and even more so this year because just with the FTP cycle, we've had no official matches since February. So to get these three one-day games in Chennai, to get two or three games in Dubai against England, a really strong opposition, will be great and then we also get the two World Cup warm-up games. So that's seven or eight games we're going to get in similar conditions. Yeah, that's just huge for us," added Sawyer.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Smart move by NZ team! Our Chennai pitches are perfect for World Cup prep. But I wonder why BCCI isn't organizing more such camps for our own players? We need to utilize these facilities better.
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Arjun K
The CSK Academy is world-class no doubt, but I hope they're also enjoying our South Indian hospitality and food! Maybe they should try some filter coffee between practice sessions ☕
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Sarah B
As someone who's visited Chennai, I can say the heat is no joke! Respect to these athletes training in such conditions. Hope they're staying hydrated and taking proper precautions.
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Vikram M
While it's great for NZ, I'm concerned about our own team's preparation. Other teams are getting acclimatized to Indian conditions while our players are busy with The Hundred. Priorities seem wrong somewhere.
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Kavya N
The emerging players must be learning so much! This is exactly how we should develop young talent - exposure to different conditions early in their careers. More such initiatives needed globally!

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