Don’t try to sneak a run to Frankie Mackay. Actually, don’t even inch out of your crease.
The White Ferns all-rounder played an important role in her side’s win over Bangladesh in Dunedin on Monday.
She picked up the key wicket of opener Shamima Sultana and featured in a couple of run-outs.
The White Ferns yesterday left Dunedin bound for Hamilton, where they will play India tomorrow.
Before the off-spinner boarded the plane, she reflected on the victory and her love of getting into the battle.
The Bangladesh opening pair of Sultana and Fargana Hoque really took the game to New Zealand.
They rattled on 50 runs in quick time. Mackay was part of the fightback.
"I was really impressed with the way Bangladesh came out and really put our bowlers under the pump early," she said.
"The intent they brought to the game was something that maybe caught us on the back foot a little bit, so we had to claw it back through the middle. I thought the spinners were outstanding."
Mackay was part of the spin trio which wrestled back the momentum.
Amelia Kerr got through some cheap overs, and part-timer Amy Satterthwaite nabbed three for 25.
But Mackay broke the opening stand and her game awareness helped her pull off a stunning run-out of the other opener.
"As a spinner, you sometimes want to take a bit of a back step. You want to go defensive, especially when you are under the pump a little bit.
"But it is actually walking towards that challenge and working out how you are going to get a wicket and how you are going to get your team back in it.
"I really relish those opportunities."
It was her run-out of Hoque that fans will remember most fondly. The batter had crept out of her crease just enough to give Mackay, who was bowling at the time, a sighter.
She speared in a throw at the stumps and caught her opponent short by a smidge.
It really sums Mackay up as a cricketer. In her words, it was an example of being "clued in and just being up for the fight".
The win has helped erase some of the pain from the tense three-run loss to the West Indies last week.
Meanwhile, the West Indies will be looking to add another big scalp.
They play England in Dunedin today.
The English suffered a close loss to Australia first-up and the defending champion will be keen to register their first win of the tournament.
The game will be played on a used pitch and the spinners are likely to play a key role in deciding the outcome of the game.
England opener Tammy Beaumont is expecting as much.
"I think the West Indies line up suits a lot of spin in their attack as well, so I think that is something we’ve got to be prepared for.
"Having played here last year I think it will also do a little bit for our seam bowlers as well.
"I remember it swinging for quite a long time here last year, so we’re going to have to be ready on both counts.
"I think there is enough in the wicket for everyone to feel like they can get involved in the game and go out there and perform."
Women’s World Cup
Dunedin, 11am
England: Lauren Winfield-Hill, Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver, Amy Jones, Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Anya Shrubsole, Charlie Dean, Tash Farrant, Emma Lamb, Freya Davies.
West Indies: Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, Kycia Knight, Stafanie Taylor, Shermaine Campbelle, Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamila Connell, Anisa Mohammed, Shakera Selman, Karishma Ramharack, Rashada Williams, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Afy Fletcher.
