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The substitute fielder kept wickets on the fifth day of the Wellington Test after Watling picked up a hamstring injury

Mohammad Isam in Wellington12-Mar-2019Peter Bocock was helping some of the New Zealand players with their warm-up drills on the fifth morning of the Wellington Test against Bangladesh when he heard his name being mentioned. BJ Watling walked towards him minutes later and told him to get ready. It was 15 minutes before play was to start.As it emerged, Watling had a hamstring injury, and the New Zealand team management didn’t want to risk fielding him. And they also didn’t want Tom Latham, the back-up keeper, to move from the slip cordon. Bocock, out of nowhere, was going to keep wickets for New Zealand in a Test match.”I definitely wasn’t thinking that I would donning the gloves when I was having my morning coffee, that’s for sure,” Bocock said after New Zealand had wrapped up an innings-and-12-run win.”About 15 minutes before the start of play, I was helping the guys with the throwdowns, when I overheard something. BJ told me to be ready, and take a couple (of catches). I was told 15 minutes before the start of play.”Bocock, who plays for Northern Districts in New Zealand’s first-class competition, had a race against time on his hands to get some sort of workable gear ready, but found his “team-mates” to be helpful enough. Watling gave him his shirt and pads, while Latham let him borrow his gloves.”I actually used Tom Latham’s gloves. I am sponsored by Kookaburra, so that worked out perfectly. I wore BJ’s pads. My sub fielding shirt was a little bit big so I borrowed BJ’s,” Bocock explained.Tim Southee celebrates a wicket with Peter Bocock•Getty Images

Within minutes, Bocock was standing behind the stumps, with Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Neil Wagner steaming in.Incidentally, substitute fielders were allowed to replace wicketkeepers only from October 2017, when the rule preventing such a thing from happening was changed.So how did the slip cordon react, did he ask them many questions? He did.”I asked them where BJ has been standing, and what’s BJ’s plan to a particular bowler. Does he stand on the leg-side a lot to someone like Wagner? I have kept to Wagner couple of times,” Bocock revealed.”It obviously would have been lovely to get a catch. I was pretty close a couple of times, just missing the outside edge. Few from Wagner missing the gloves.”Bocock had originally been summoned by New Zealand manager Mike Sandle from the Northern Districts A side to help the New Zealand players. He then filled in as a substitute fielder on the fourth day when Kane Williamson, the captain, went off to get scans on his injured shoulder.Understandably, the experience has left the 27-year-old happy, though it wasn’t quite a real Test debut. “I would love (to play for New Zealand). Every kid has the dream to walk out with the Black Caps. It is a major goal. I am lucky enough to spend time in that environment as a sub fielder,” he said.

The left-arm spinner will be taken to hospital for treatment, and is expected to recover in 48 hours, which probably means the team management will only be able to decide on his availability for the first Test in Cape Town on the morning of the match

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jan-2018India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja could be a doubtful starter for the first Test against South Africa, which begins on Friday in Cape Town. Jadeja has been suffering from “viral illness” for the last two days, according to a BCCI release. He will be taken to hospital for treatment, and is expected to recover fully in the next 48 hours, which means the team management will probably only be able to decide on his availability on the morning of the match.Shikhar Dhawan, meanwhile, has recovered from a minor ankle injury that he sustained before India’s departure for South Africa, and is available for selection.If Jadeja is unable to play in Cape Town, India will most likely go in with the offspinner R Ashwin as the lone specialist spinner. Jadeja and Ashwin were expected to contest that role in the bowling attack, with captain Virat Kohli hinting before the tour that India would make that call based on the distribution of right- and left-hand batsmen in the opposition line-up. By this logic, Jadeja may have been the frontrunner for the lone spinner’s role since South Africa are likely to have only two left-handers in their top seven.

The seven-ODI series at home against New Zealand, starting October 8, is set to be Dane van Niekerk’s first as South Africa Women’s captain

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-20161:11

‘We are competing against the best’ – van Niekerk

The seven-ODI series at home against New Zealand, starting October 8, is set to be Dane van Niekerk’s first as South Africa Women’s captain.Van Niekerk was announced captain in June, after Mignon du Preez stepped down from the role to focus on her batting.”It’s definitely not going to be an easy task taking on New Zealand, but I’m sure that we have the team to do the job,” Van Niekerk said. “It’s just a question of us doing the right things and sticking to the basics and I’m sure we’ll do well. We want to seal our place in next year’s World Cup and this series is just another step towards that goal.”Neither wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty nor seamer Shabnim Ismail figure in the 15-member squad, as they are currently subject to a CSA disciplinary hearing. CSA is to make an announcement on the matter once the disciplinary process is complete.Seamer Marcia Letsoalo is the other member of the squad from the home ODIs against West Indies Women in February to miss out. In place of the three omitted players, the squad includes batsman Lara Goodall, left-arm seamer Moseline Daniels and wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta. Jafta, 21, has not played any international cricket so far.The first three ODIs of the series form part of the ICC Women’s Championship, and therefore count towards qualification for the 2017 Women’s World Cup in England next year. South Africa are currently fifth on the points table, behind New Zealand at fourth.South Africa Women squad: Dané van Niekerk (capt.), Laura Wolvaardt, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Lizelle Lee, Suné Luus, Chloe Tryon, Dinesha Devnarain, Odine Kirsten, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Moseline Daniels, Andrie Steyn

A third century in as many innings from Quinton de Kock extended South Africa A’s domination of the first unofficial Test against India A in Wayanad

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Aug-2015
ScorecardQuinton de Kock made his third hundred on tour to India•PTI

A third century in as many innings from Quinton de Kock extended South Africa A’s domination of the first unofficial Test against India A in Wayanad. He made 113 runs off 102 balls, ransacked 107 runs at the rate of 5.7 per over with Dane Vilas for the seventh wicket and took the total to 542.Unlike in the one-day tri-series earlier this month when he opened the batting, de Kock manned the No. 7 position and had the comfort of walking out at 307 for 5. His innings included 13 fours and three sixes and continues to make a strong case for himself when the senior team tour India in October. His partner during that rollicking seventh-wicket stand, Vilas cruised to 75 off 74 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes and has not fallen that far behind in the contest for the wicketkeeper’s position with the Test side.Axar Patel as India A’s only source of control, and threat, bowling 39 overs for only 115 runs and picking up four wickets. He was the only man, on condition of bowling at least 11 overs, to concede less than three runs an over. The other specialist spinner, Jayant Yadav, got a bigger workload – 42 overs, but leaked 177 runs for his two wickets. There was very little on offer for the seamers, with Abhimanyu Mithun and Ishawar Pandey combining to bowl 44 overs, only four of which were maidens, for 174 runs and two wickets.That trend continued when India A came out to bat. It was offspinner Dane Piedt who removed the openers. Shreyas Iyer appeared comfortable at No. 3, so much that he relied on boundaries to secure 40 of his 49 runs. The problem, though, was he was bowled with two overs left to stumps and India A went back to the pavilion at 122 for 3 after 34.5 overs. A healthy run-rate, of course, but they are 420 runs behind.

Former New Zealand assistant coach Trent Woodhill has blamed the New Zealand team management for the “unfathomable” treatment of Ross Taylor

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Feb-2013Former New Zealand assistant coach Trent Woodhill has blamed the New Zealand team management for the “unfathomable” treatment of Ross Taylor, saying he sensed the trouble brewing during the team’s tour of the West Indies last year. Taylor took temporary leave of absence from New Zealand cricket after losing his Test captaincy in December 2012, and returned to the national side for the T20 series against England.”During the West Indies tour I was really frustrated with the way Ross Taylor was being treated, not by anyone other than the manager and a few of the senior players who weren’t giving him the support that he needed,” Woodhill told . “I don’t think it was ever about Ross and Brendon. It was always about management. To me, Brendon should want to captain his country and I was all for a split captaincy, but it’s just the way it was done [that was the problem].”After the World Twenty20 I closed the book on New Zealand, but the way Ross was treated and is being treated I just feel bitter towards their treating [of] one of the best human beings I’ve ever met. Ross Taylor is literally the nicest guy you could ever meet and the most respectful and down to earth, and the way they treated him [was unfathomable].”Following his removal from Test captaincy, Taylor said he “never” received support from Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, during his time as captain and that he was “surprised” by the timing of the decision that came after he had led New Zealand to victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo.Woodhill, who is from Australia, was involved with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League and will be part of the Delhi Daredevils support staff during the IPL. When asked about why he wasn’t appointed the New Zealand coach, instead of Hesson, he said, “The New Zealanders didn’t want a foreigner. They had issues with [former Australian coach and director of cricket] John Buchanan – he was ostracised, and still is – and the manager, players’ association rep and new CEO [David White] all just wanted a Kiwi in there.”

Ross Taylor reached a risk-free unbeaten sixth Test hundred towards stumps on day one to put New Zealand in command

The Report by Andrew Fernando25-Jan-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Ross Taylor made his sixth Test century•Getty Images

Smart stats

• The 124-run opening stand between Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum is the second-highest opening partnership for New Zealand in Tests against Zimbabwe. It is bettered only by the 214-run stand between Craig Spearman and Roger Twose in Auckland in 1996.

• In 85 innings between October 2004 and November 2010, New Zealand did not have a single century opening stand. In 15 innings since, they have had three century stands for the first wicket.

• The opening stand is also the first century stand for New Zealand in matches in Napier and the third overall at the venue. The highest opening partnership at the venue is the 149-run stand between Trevor Franklin and John Wright in 1990.

• McCullum scored his 20th half-century in his 61st Test. He averages 36.32 overall but has an average of 45.13 when he has opened the innings.

• Ross Taylor scored his sixth century overall and his first against Zimbabwe. It is also his second in Napier after the 151 against India in 2009. It is also his first hundred in 17 innings after the 138 against Australia in March 2010.

• The 82-run stand between Taylor and Daniel Vettori is the seventh fifty-plus fifth-wicket stand for New Zealand against Zimbabwe. The highest is 222 between Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan in Wellington in 2000.

Ross Taylor reached an unbeaten sixth Test hundred just before stumps on day one to put New Zealand in command in the Test against Zimbabwe in Napier. Having been inserted on an unusually green Mclean Park deck, New Zealand collected 331 largely trouble-free runs for the loss of five wickets, with half-centuries to Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill helping set up a strong total.Ross Taylor will rarely make an easier ton, as the Zimbabwe bowlers struggled to put him under pressure throughout his composed stay. The seamers were already on the wane when he arrived at the crease at 131 for two, offering boundary balls with alarming regularity while legspinner Graeme Cremer battled to find his length throughout the day. While Ross Taylor was quick to punish the abundant bad deliveries, he also accumulated at will when his opposite Brendan Taylor employed defensive fields too early and for too long.Ross Taylor reserved bursts of characteristic belligerence for genuinely bad bowling, like Cremer’s over of long hops that disappeared for 17, choosing to build rather than blast, even as the Zimbabwe attack became more lackadaisical as the day wore on. He reached his hundred in 154 deliveries and finished the day on 111 not out, alongside New Zealand’s latest wicketkeeper-batsman, BJ Watling, who was unbeaten on 15.Two short patches of joy were all Zimbabwe gleaned from a day of toil in sun-beaten Napier, as they failed to convert New Zealand’s stutters into definitive momentum shifts. Guptill and Kane Williamson fell in quick succession following an unflustered 124-run opening stand, but indifferent bowling and Brendan Taylor’s reluctance to tighten the noose with close fielders allowed McCullum and Ross Taylor to continue building at their leisure.McCullum’s dismissal after tea and Dean Brownlie’s grope at an away-seamer shortly after provided Zimbabwe with another window in which to probe for the initiative. But the seam attack wilted once more, and Ross Taylor combined New Zealand’s resident collapse-thwarter, Daniel Vettori, to restore the hosts’ dominance, and kick scoring back into gear.Vettori was eventually dismissed for a busy 38, dragged out of his crease by a Cremer googly for just long enough for Tatenda Taibu to jerk off the bails, but Ross Taylor and Watling were virtually untested as they helped their side through to the close, blunting the worst of the second new ball to have New Zealand eyeing 500.Playing their first away Test since the Centurion in March 2005, Zimbabwe’s seamers failed to exploit favourable early conditions, before the notoriously placid McLean Park surface returned to the familiar. Kyle Jarvis beat McCullum’s outside edge repeatedly in his first two overs of the day, but two wallops over cover and a glance to fine leg ignited McCullum’s innings as Guptill eased into the match with a spate of purring strokes into the on-side. Guptill was the more fluent of the pair as they transferred their domestic Twenty20 form into the first morning of the Test, motoring to 52 in 9.4 overs, before easing off somewhat after the first hour.Swing was neither prodigious, nor the pace unsettling from Jarvis and new-ball partner Brian Vitori, who at times went searching for ambitious outswing on leg-stump only to be picked through the on-side methodically by Guptill in particular. Debutant Shingi Masakadza’s introduction into the attack helped haul in a New Zealand run rate that at times touched 5.5 runs an over, as Masakadza persevered outside off stump, nibbling the odd delivery away from the right-handers.McCullum and Guptill both reached their fifties soon after lunch, with the latter content with well-placed twos and threes while McCullum punctured the ring with more intent. But Masakadza was soon rewarded for with Guptill’s scalp – albeit against the run of play – and Zimbabwe soon surged towards equality when McCullum abandoned thoughts of a single, and an unwitting Williamson, who had almost reached the non-striker’s end before realising McCullum had headed back to his crease after initially setting off.McCullum was dismissed in sight of a century, following a period of consolidation alongside Ross Taylor, and Brownlie made no use of a reprieve in the slips off Jarvis, surrendering to Masakadza in the following over. But Ross Taylor, with assistance from Vettori and Watling, completed a successful first day of New Zealand’s home summer, and will aim to transform his side’s first innings total from commanding to colossal on day two.

The Pathan brothers, Irfan and Yusuf, on their bumper bids at 2011 IPL auction and what they could expect from their new teams

Tariq Engineer08-Jan-2011Among the big winners on the first day of the 2011 IPL auction were the Pathan brothers, Yusuf and Irfan, whose combined bids totalled US$4m. While Yusuf, who was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders for $2.1m, was always expected to attract one of the highest bids, Irfan commanding $1.9m was something of a surprise.Irfan is still recovering from a back injury and hasn’t played competitive cricket since last season’s IPL (almost nine months ago). Yet, there was strong interest from five franchises at the auction, with Delhi Daredevils ultimately emerging victorious over Kings XI Punjab, which had bought Irfan in the 2008 auction for half of what Delhi paid this time around.”It is a very good start to 2011,” Irfan told ESPNcricinfo. “People think I am an important player. I am very pleased. It is a great feeling for the whole family.”Irfan, who watched the bidding live on television, admitted the high price tag would only add to the scrutiny of his performances as he targeted a return from his injury, but said it was all part of the game. “To be very honest, the more money, the more pressure there is. [But] pressure will always be there, whether you are playing for your country, or playing domestic cricket.”I am feeling much feeling better. The way I am bowling, I will be able take any pressure.”Irfan was not selected in India’s 30-man squad for the upcoming World Cup because of his injury and while he expected to return to competitive cricket with Baroda for the domestic one-day tournament in February, he realised the IPL was his best chance of attracting the attention of India’s selectors ahead of India’s tours to England and the West Indies next summer.”It is a big platform for me. The whole world is watching it. Even though it is only a four-over game, people come to know what you can do. I want to play for my country. That is why I am working for hard. The best recognition you get playing for your country. It can’t be replaced by money.”Irfan had an impressive IPL in 2010, even though Punjab finished at the bottom of the table. He was the team’s third highest run-scorer with 276 runs at an average of 34.50 and a strike-rate of 148.38. He also took 15 wickets at a strike rate of 18.50 and an average of 28.40. He described his time with Punjab as “very memorable”, saying it was an experience he would cherish all his life, and called Preity Zinta, among the co-owners of the franchise, “an amazing boss”. He was also flattered that the franchise tried so hard to buy him this time around as well, but said now that he had a new team, it was time to look ahead.”Delhi has been a really good side in the IPL and been performing really well even though they haven’t lifted the cup. It is one of the biggest cities in India and has a larger fan base. I have played with Viru [Virender Sehwag] and I am looking forward to playing for Delhi.”Yusuf, too, said he was very pleased with the result of the auction, both for himself and Irfan, but added he wasn’t thinking as far ahead as the IPL as his focus was on the ODI series against South Africa and then the World Cup. He did, however, admit he would miss playing for Rajasthan Royals, for whom he scored a memorable 37-ball hundred against Mumbai Indians, an innings Shane Warne called the best he had ever seen.”Obviously I will miss Warne and Watson and the rest of team,’ Yusuf said. “At the same time, I have always enjoyed playing in Kolkata because the people there love their cricket, and are passionate about it. The atmosphere is great. This is a great opportunity. It will be a new team, new players, but I have played with many of them. It won’t be too difficult to adjust to the new set-up.”Yusuf said Kolkata had the makings of a good team and could potentially make the final with the likes of Jacques Kallis, Gautam Gambhir and himself. He tipped Gambhir, under whose leadership he played in the ODI series against New Zealand, where he made savage match-winning hundred, to captain the side. He was also looking forward to being part of a team owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.”Shah Rukh likes his cricket. Whatever match is there, he comes to the ground and watches. I will get to learn something new here.”

The English umpire, Mark Benson, has confirmed his retirement from the ICC elite panel, and will see out his career on the county circuit

Cricinfo staff05-Feb-2010The English umpire, Mark Benson, has confirmed his retirement from the ICC elite panel, and will see out his career on the county circuit, following his sudden withdrawal from the Adelaide Test between Australia and West Indies in December.Benson hit the headlines on the opening day of the second Test on December 4, when he was reported to be upset over several incidents involving the Umpire Decision Review System, one of which led to his original decision against Shivnarine Chanderpaul being overturned.He withdrew from the contest and flew back to England while the match was still taking place, although the ICC later claimed his withdrawal had been on the grounds of ill-health.”I have enjoyed my time on the elite panel immensely,” said Benson in an ICC statement on Friday. “The opportunity to be part of the global game has given me memories that I will always treasure. But travel and being away from home takes its toll on the family and some warning bells have started to ring regarding my health.”So, having thought about it carefully, I feel now is the right time for me to step down and move to a more settled and familiar environment in England.”Although Benson’s contract was not due to expire until the end of June 2010, he asked if he could be released from it three months early so he could take up a contract with the ECB and this request was granted.”I’d like to thank the ICC and my umpiring colleagues on the elite panel for their support over the years,” added Benson. “Umpiring at the top level has been a very rewarding experience for me and it is not an easy decision to walk away from it but I believe it is the right one as far as my health and family are concerned.Vince van der Bijl, the ICC’s umpires’ and referees’ manager said: “Mark’s immense love for and enjoyment of cricket shines through his umpiring. His on-field calm demeanour will be missed, as will his friendly and easygoing disposition.”We fully understand and support his decision, which was brought on by a desire to spend more time in England with his family and some concerns about health issues. He will add richly to the county circuit as he is a talented and hugely experienced umpire and we wish him great success.”In total, Benson umpired 27 Tests, 72 ODIs and 19 T20Is, including the final of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 final in Johannesburg in September 2007. He had been on the elite panel since 2006 and was offered a contract by the ECB to return to domestic cricket as a first-class umpire.

Jewell, Came make half-centuries, but Olly Stone goes wicketless at start of loan spell

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Sep-2025Toby Roland-Jones led Middlesex’s fightback with his best Rothesay County Championship bowling figures of the season after promotion rivals Derbyshire had threatened to dominate with the bat on the opening day at Lord’s.Caleb Jewell and Harry Came both hit half-centuries as they forged a century partnership to give the visitors a strong platform at 124 for one before Roland-Jones struck back with four wickets in the space of 27 balls.The former Middlesex captain eventually finished with six for 77, while Ryan Higgins and Zafar Gohar shared the other four wickets evenly as Derbyshire, who began the day with a 24-point gap to second-placed Glamorgan, were bowled out for 283.In reply, Middlesex openers Sam Robson and Josh de Caires trimmed that deficit slightly prior to stumps, reaching 12 without loss.The Seaxes’ pace attack included two red-ball debutants in the shape of Olly Stone, signed on a short-term loan from Nottinghamshire, and 18-year-old Sebastian Morgan – yet there were slim pickings for either when the visitors won the toss and chose to bat on a benign surface.Higgins achieved the solitary breakthrough of the morning session, pinning Luis Reece in front of his stumps with a ball that nipped back down the slope, but Jewell and Came batted through to lunch largely untroubled.The Australian was quick to punish anything loose outside off stump, dispatching an early short ball from Roland-Jones to the cover fence before handing the same treatment to a Stone half-volley.Came settled in following an uncertain start, when Stone beat his outside edge a couple of times and began to take advantage of the short boundary on one side, keeping pace with his partner.It was Jewell who reached his half-century first, nudging a single from the opening ball of the afternoon session, while Came’s arrival at that landmark was more eye-catching as he pulled Stone into the Mound Stand for six.The pair extended their partnership to 105 before it was eventually broken by Higgins, returning for a second stint from the Nursery End and knocking back the left-hander’s off stump for 56.Derbyshire skipper Wayne Madsen, marking his 500th overall appearance in the county’s colours, was soon up and running with two quick fours off Higgins, but his side’s momentum was stemmed by a destructive spell from Roland-Jones.Came was first to go, caught behind off an inside edge for 64 and Brooke Guest was castled having misjudged the line before Roland-Jones got another delivery to rear back and trap former Middlesex man Martin Andersson leg before.Roland-Jones claimed the prize wicket of Madsen in identical fashion to leave Derbyshire apparently wilting at 177 for six, only for Anuj Dal and Zak Chappell to mount a recovery with their stand of 48.Dal eventually departed on the stroke of tea, succumbing to a thin edge off Gohar and the spinner also picked up the wicket of Chappell, but Ben Aitchison’s watchful 36 secured his side a batting bonus point.However, Roland-Jones wrapped up the innings by having both Aitchison and Jack Morley caught behind with the new ball and Middlesex successfully negotiated the day’s remaining seven overs without alarm.

England captain admits she’d have featured in WPL ‘in an ideal world’ but focus is NZ series

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2024Heather Knight says she has no regrets about pulling out of the WPL and missing Royal Challengers Bangalore’s trophy-winning campaign, as she prepares to lead her side in the first of five T20Is against New Zealand in Dunedin on Tuesday.Knight, 33, withdrew from the tournament, which concluded with RCB’s victory over Delhi Capitals on Sunday, when it became clear that the schedule would impinge on her ability to lead England in the T20I leg of the New Zealand tour, which forms a key part of the team’s preparations for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.Her place in the RCB squad was taken by South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk, who featured just once in the campaign, while seamer Lauren Bell also withdrew from the UP Warriorz squad to focus on her England preparations.A core of England’s established T20I players – including Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt, Alice Capsey and Sophie Ecclestone – chose to stay on in India and will link up with the T20I squad ahead of the fourth and fifth matches later this month. As England captain, however, Knight said she was clear where her priorities lay.”I was always going to come [to New Zealand], so that was quite an easy decision for me,” she said. “As captain, I wanted to be here and I want to be around the team for the build-up, and those three games.”The ideal world would have been to leave the WPL a little early, but that wasn’t an option to do so, because of the rules about replacement players. We wanted to have someone available for the whole competition. Those are the choices that players have to make now, it can be quite tricky, but I think it’s really important that it’s made on an individual level.”Given the timezone difference, Knight said she hadn’t watched the final, in which RCB hunted down Delhi’s target of 114 to win by eight wickets with three balls to spare, but had watched the highlights that morning, and had been kept abreast of the celebrations, not least through her England team-mate Kate Cross, who was an unused squad member.Related

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• ECB 'explored every option' to avoid WPL clash with NZ tour

• Nat Sciver-Brunt: 'I'd be lying if I said money wasn't a factor'

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“I was getting a few messages, from Kate who’s there and obviously some of the overseas [players] as well. I was really pleased for them that they managed to win, after quite a tough year last year. I guess I could have been there, but I’m not really thinking about that. I’m super happy to be here. Obviously the right thing for me, and for the team, was for me to be here.”Despite the scheduling clash, Knight insisted that England would benefit from the split priorities, both from the WPL contingent’s exposure to subcontinental conditions ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September, and from the extra competition for places that will arise in their absence for the first three T20Is.”The right thing for me was to be here, but I still think we’re going to get a really good benefit as an England team,” Knight said. “Alice Capsey playing in a big final yesterday, that’d be a really good experience for her, and hopefully England will benefit down the road, with a World Cup coming up in Bangladesh.”It’s a tricky one. It’s getting a little bit tougher for players to make these decisions because they have so many different options now. In an ideal world, you’d have windows [in the schedule]. There is a little window, but a day in between [games] isn’t realistic, obviously, to fly across the world and play.”But I’m quite an optimistic person, I’m looking at the positives that we’ve got. We’ve got a huge opportunity for some of our younger players to play a really good role [in New Zealand], and by making the choice around the first three T20s to have a different squad, the girls at the WPL have a little bit of a chance to take a few days off as well, and get used to New Zealand and get the flight out of their legs.”It’s not an ideal situation, but I think there’s some really good positives that will hopefully benefit the England team moving forward.”In terms of the challenge awaiting England in Dunedin, Knight admitted that the damp weather meant that the conditions could be similar to early-season England, but expected a good wicket with a bit in it for batters and bowlers alike.”It’s been nice to get acclimatised,” she said. “The weather’s made us feel quite home to be honest, it’s a little bit cold and miserable out there now. But the main thing is just adapting to being on grass again, and getting really clear on our mindset about how we’re going to play tomorrow. We’re obviously excited to get going. It’s been a long build-up.”