Eden Carson is still adjusting to her new life as a professional cricketer.
This time last year she had set her sights on making an impact for the Otago Sparks.
The diminutive spinner certainly did that. The 21-year-old was Otago’s leading wicket-taker in both the Super Smash and the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
Her eye-catching five-wicket bag in the final of the one-day competition proved to be a mighty springboard.
It was the kind of performance which sticks in selectors’ minds and in May she received a shock contract offer. The White Ferns had a clean out post a disappointing home World Cup in which they missed out on the playoffs.
Experienced players Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu, Frankie Mackay, Leigh Kasperek and Thamsyn Newton were not offered contracts and that freed up space for the new guard.
Carson made her T20 international debut in July and has shone at the top level.
She has eight wickets in six games and she also made her ODI debut in September, picking up three for 31.
"It has been pretty surreal, really," Carson responded when asked about her meteoric rise.
"I wasn’t expecting it to happen at all. And then when it got sprung on me I was like, ‘whoa — I don’t even know what I’m doing.
"It just hit me all at once. But, no, it has been great. I’m getting a bit more into a routine and know what I have to do around the contracting system and all that sort of stuff."
There are a lot more demands on Carson now. She spends more time in the gym, does more running and there are more training sessions.
She has had to shuffle around a few things. She will be a qualified vet nurse once she can squeeze in the required practical training. That has been put on hold until the end of the season.
Cricket is very much her focus.
"Last season was one of my better seasons that I’ve had for the Sparks and that pushed me forward.
"I was definitely nervous going into the White Ferns environment ... but all the girls were really welcoming and inviting. Having some younger girls with me really helped me fit in.
"They definitely hit the ball a lot harder [at the top level].
"I have to think about my game a lot more."
It will be fascinating to see how much Carson has improved following her stint with the White Ferns.
The Sparks get their defence of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield under way this weekend when they play Northern Districts in back-to-back games in Whangarei.
"I think the girls are going into the season with a bit more confidence after the wins we had last year. It is a bit different not being the underdogs, though. There is a bit more expectation."
White Ferns duo Hayley Jensen and Suzie Bates are playing the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia and will not feature during the early phase of the one-day campaign.
Carson might not play much either. All going well she will be named in the White Ferns squad for the series against Bangladesh. That gets under way on December 2.
The Sparks are missing a few other players for the opening round. Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis and back-up glovewomen Olivia Gain are both unavailable which means Sophie Gray will don the gloves.
Gain is in India with the New Zealand development team, as is Otago contracted player Paige Loggenberg.
Former White Ferns all-rounder Felicity Leydon-Davis will make her debut for Otago and will captain the side. She signed with the Sparks last season but was ruled out with a back complaint.
Leydon-Davis will play as a specialist batter.
Gemma Adams also returns after missing last season due to a knee injury, while Chloe Deerness has also been named in the side. She played one game for the Sparks last season but did not get an opportunity to bowl.
Hallyburton Johnstone Shield
Otago Sparks
Contracted players
Gemma Adams, Suzie Bates (NZ), Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Eden Carson (NZ), Kate Ebrahim, Olivia Gain, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Hayley Jensen (NZ), Felicity Leydon-Davis, Molly Loe, Paige Loggenberg, Sophie Oldershaw, Saffron Wilson.
Draw
Nov 19 & 20: v Northern Districts, Whangarei
Nov 26: v Central Districts, Dunedin
Dec 17 & 18: v Wellington, Wellington
Jan 22: v Central Districts, Nelson
Feb 18 & 19: v Auckland, Dunedin
Feb 25 & 26: v Canterbury, Queenstown
Otago team
For season opener
Felicity Leydon-Davis (captain), Gemma Adams, Caitlin Blakely, Emma Black, Eden Carson, Chloe Deerness, Kate Ebrahim, Sophie Gray, Bella James, Molly Loe, Sophie Oldershaw, Saffron Wilson.
