Mumbai: It is not surprising that the Mumbai Indians (MI) have returned to their winning form in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), thanks to Amelia Kerr's outstanding bowling performance, where she claimed five wickets and celebrated by donning the Purple Cap on Thursday night. Although three bowlers have since surpassed her by a single wicket, it is reasonable to expect Kerr to reclaim the top position in the upcoming match against the Gujarat Giants on Monday.

Kerr, who had to quickly prepare for batting after delivering the final over, expressed her enjoyment in being asked to open the batting, a departure from her usual position at No. 5.

“Being an all-rounder is the best way to play cricket,” Kerr stated in an interview. “It’s a lot more fun as a player.”

In embracing this enjoyment, Kerr has emerged as one of the premier all-rounders globally. The 24-year-old, described as a “once-in-a-generation player” by fellow New Zealander Sophie Devine, has propelled teams to success with her skilful leg spin and elegant batting.

She played a pivotal role in MI’s championship victory in the inaugural WPL in 2023, achieving 15 wickets (Economy Rate 6.45) and scoring 149 runs (Strike Rate 133.03). Additionally, she was named the Most Valuable Player in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup victory last year, earning the title of player of the tournament (15 wickets and 135 runs) and excelling in the final with figures of 3/24 and 43 runs against South Africa. Her remarkable five-wicket haul for MI came on a night when her team was eager to secure a win against the UP Warriorz.

This performance highlighted Kerr’s ability to rise to the occasion and her champion mindset.

“As a professional athlete, that’s what you train and play for. You want to be the player that steps up in the big moments,” she remarked. “You’re going to be put in situations where you can win the game for the team or lose it. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t. But being part of those moments is what I dreamed of as a child.”

Kerr developed a passion for bowling leg spin during her childhood. She describes it as a challenging skill that necessitates extensive practice, expressing her satisfaction with her decision to pursue it. Although she had a desire to bat, she recognized at a young age that she might not possess the necessary power for that role.

As her physical strength improved, so did her overall capabilities. At just 17, during an ODI against Ireland, she made history by becoming the youngest player, male or female, to score a double century while also taking five wickets. This achievement highlighted her potential as a remarkable all-round cricketer. Her score of 232 not out remains the highest individual total in Women's One Day Internationals.

Kerr's journey was just beginning, even if it required dedicating extra hours to practice.

“If you have a poor performance in the first innings, you have the opportunity to contribute to the team in the second. It is essential to practice both skills equally and invest more time in the nets. I approach each skill with the attention and respect necessary to excel,” she stated.

Her statistics over three seasons with MI and nine years representing New Zealand reflect her growing reputation as a world-class all-rounder. Such players are rare in contemporary cricket, regardless of gender.

“Typically, most all-rounders excel in one skill more than the other, often focusing on a single skill that secures their place in a team,” Kerr observes. “However, the women’s game is witnessing an increase in genuine all-rounders, such as Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Annabel Sutherland, and Jess Jonassen. The rise of these players is attributed to the increased opportunities to play cricket and take on all-rounder roles in franchise leagues.”

Kerr believes her contribution to MI is “extremely significant” when it comes to bowling. Her performance against UPW exemplified this. Although she conceded several boundaries, Kerr displayed courage by giving the ball flight and enticing batters. Chinelle Henry fell for a six after Kerr lured her with another well-flighted delivery outside off stump.

For the New Zealander, the primary distinction between bowling spin in India and her home country lies in the shorter boundaries.

“On these grounds, it is crucial to take wickets while also restricting runs and applying pressure,” Kerr explains. “As a leg-spinner, having variations is essential. I have dedicated considerable effort to this—experimenting with different techniques when the pitch is not favourable. It has been a lot of practice since my early years.”

Kerr has also harboured a dream since childhood, one that she realized last year as a member of the White Ferns who won the World Cup.

“I recall watching the White Ferns compete in 2010 when I was around nine years old, and I envisioned winning the World Cup. We Kiwis often exceed expectations. Being a smaller nation, we may not possess the financial resources that other countries do. Therefore, winning a World Cup was significant.”

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