You can forgive the White Ferns if they seem a bit preoccupied ahead of their ODI series against Bangladesh.
Batter Maddy Green told the Otago Daily Times the team’s focus was firmly on next year’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
It is only a couple of months away but they have this oddly placed ODI series to get through first.
The three-game series starts at the Basin Reserve tomorrow.
Bangladesh was outclassed during the recent T20 series, so the prospects of this series being a competitive one are not great.
But Green said they could not get too distracted by the T20 World Cup.
"Obviously, the focus is on the T20 World Cup and building towards that, but this series is for ICC Championship points ... so it is really crucial for us to come away with maximum points."
On form that should not be a problem.
Bangladesh does not appear to have the firepower to chase down a decent tally. The tourists have made improvements in the field, however.
They bowled really well during the third T20 in Queenstown and lifted their fielding effort as well.
Green teamed up with Melie Kerr in game two in Dunedin to flog 50 from the last five overs in an excellent unbroken stand of 77.
It got the home side out of a little trouble.
If there is one area the White Ferns will want to improve on, it is the batting during the powerplay.
"If we are honest we weren’t as sharp with the bat, or didn’t quite put in a complete performance in that series. We were targeting that 160 to 180 mark and we only hit that 160 mark once.
"I think it is about utilising those first 10 overs in T20 cricket better. But it was really pleasing with the way Melie batted and how she was able to finish games."
Kerr was the leading scorer in the series with 121 runs at a strike rate of 147.56.
Green had a decent series as well, with 84 runs at 137.70.
The pair will want to take that momentum and intent into the one-day series.
Green filled in as keeper during the T20 series when Jess McFadyen fell ill. But she has recovered and will take the gloves, leaving Green to concentrate on her batting.
She will bat in the middle order, probably at No 4 where Amy Satterthwaite batted during her long career.
"I think I’ve been hitting the ball well and I feel like I’m benefiting from a lot of cricket over the last six months or so.
"I’ll bat in that middle order and try and build partnerships. It is a role I’m trying to build into. Amy has really owned that position at No 4 for the last 10 years, so for me it is trying to step into her shoes."
ODI series
Wellington, tomorrow 11am
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Melie Kerr, Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Georgia Plimmer, Jess McFadyen, Hayley Jensen, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Fran
Jonas, Molly Penfold, Eden Carson.
Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana, Dilara Akter, Disha Biswas, Fahima Khatun, Fargana Hoque, Fariha Trisna, Jahanara Alam, Lata Mondal, Marufa Akter, Murshida Khatun,
Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun, Sanjida Akter Meghla, Sharmin Akhter.
