India experience vital: McGlashan, Tahuhu

Sarah McGlashan, who had set a record for the White Ferns for the most number of World Cup appearances, said their last sub-continent tour has helped them understand the conditions practically. “We have toured the sub-continent earlier and that experience gives us an advantage. We know how the wickets behave and what to do,” McGlashan said. 

Medium-pacer Lea Tahuhu concurred with her teammate and said the Ferns are upbeat after a successful series against Australia. “We won the T20 series, which is a shot in the arm for us. That gives us enough motivation to do well here, although it is a different ball game,” added Tahuhu. The Kiwis are prepared but Tahuhu said that a lot depends on strategy. “There is a big difference in what we do at home and what we should be doing here. 

As a medium fast bowler, it is tough to adapt to conditions here and a neat line and length would be the norm for quickies,” she said. With their men doing well in the World Cup last year, McGlashan and Tahuhu said the need to perform well would more of a motivation than pressure. “It was a big moment (Kiwis in the final in 2015) in New Zealand sport. 

Their success has given us the excitement to do the same. We know the pride behind it and we would embrace pressure and turn it into motivation,” the women added.