Heather Knight interview: England Women opener looking for ODI ton in New Zealand

Heather Knight is not only looking for victories during England Women’s upcoming tour of New Zealand but also her maiden ODI hundred.

Knight has notched six one-day fifties – including four in her previous six innings – but a three-figure score has so far eluded her, with 72 against Australia in Perth in 2011 the Plymouth-born star’s best total.

However, having regained an opener’s berth after a spell batting in the middle order, the 24-year-old vice-captain is optimistic she can post a ton against the White Ferns over the course of five ODIs.

“It is definitely on my mind,” Knight told Sky Sports, ahead of a series in which the first three ODIs will count towards qualification for the 2017 World Cup in England.

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“My conversion rate probably hasn’t been great over the last few years as I’ve got a lot of fifties but not really gone on, something that I pride myself on doing in domestic cricket.

“As long as I am contributing and England are doing well I’ll be happy, but I’m sure that hundred will come.

“We are playing at some slightly smaller grounds in New Zealand because the bigger ones are being used for the men’s World Cup and there are some really good tracks so I am confident."

Improved

New Zealand awaits for Knight, then, but it was in neighbouring Australia where she flourished this winter while playing in the Women’s Twenty20 Cup for Tasmania.

The right-hander crunched five fifties across her 10 innings, as well as picking up six wickets with her improving spin bowling, and believes she developed as an all-round cricketer during her stint down under.

I had a big chance to work on my Twenty20 game and I think my tactical side and how I go about my innings has improved as well.

“I have had a really good time away and felt like I learnt a lot about my game,” said Knight, who also figured in 50-over cricket for Tasmania Women in the Women’s National Cricket League.

“I had a big chance to work on my Twenty20 game, which hasn’t really been my strongest format, and I think my tactical side and how I go about my innings has improved as well.

“I have also worked on my spin bowling, which I only started not too long ago; I will always see myself as a part-time spinner as I love batting, but my bowling will give us another option and string to our bow.

“If I can bowl the odd over and pick up the odd wicket that can only help the team.”

Battle

England Women will contest three T20 matches with New Zealand in February, with the games sandwiched between the opening three and final two one-day internationals.

Charlotte Edwards’ side beat New Zealand twice in the 2013 World Cup, while they also conquered the Kiwis on two occasions later that year during a T20 tri-series in West Indies.

Knight is confident England can continue their dominance but says the hosts must not be underestimated, particularly with Suzie Bates, a player with five ODI tons to her name, among their ranks.

“New Zealand probably haven’t had the most successful 12 months but they will be a tough side to play against and give us a good battle,” added Knight.

"They have got some key players, like Bates, and other match-winners such as Sophie Devine and Amy Satterthwaite, so it will be a good and important tour for us.

“We will be looking to go out there and be successful and I think we will set our stall out to win every game.”

New Zealand Women v England Women schedule:

Feb 11: First ODI, Maunganui
Feb 13: Second ODI, Maunganui
Feb 15: Third ODI, Maunganui

Feb 19: First T20I, Whangarei
Feb 20: Second T20I, Whangarei
Feb 24: Third T20I, Lincoln

Feb 26: Fourth ODI, Lincoln
Feb 28: Fifth ODI, Lincoln