Several members of the England women’s squad spent their first day in New Zealand climbing Mount Maunganui.
Having arrived in the country following a long flight via Sydney, the players were given the chance to explore on day one of their four-week tour.
And Charlotte Edwards, Heather Knight, Lauren Winfield, Laura Marsh and Danielle Wyatt all took the opportunity to complete the steep walk and take in the views.
Skipper Edwards told ecb.co.uk: “I’m pretty tired. It was something most of the girls wanted to do, so to get the opportunity to come up on our first morning was really special. What a view.
“It is nice to get the flight out of our legs. We have certainly done that the hard way climbing up here, but it has been a great morning.”
How's this for a first day in NZ...Lovely morning trekking up the Mount with the girls! #DoraTheExplorers#Panoramicpic.twitter.com/zwNJOL95iG
— Lauren Winfield (@lozwinfield) February 3, 2015
Winfield added: “It has been a great trek up here and it is a fantastic view at the top so it has all been worth it. We have got a day to ourselves today so it is time to make the most of it and take in some of the scenery. It’s fantastic up here."
England have their first training session of the trip tomorrow as they get ready for a warm-up match against Northern Districts women on Saturday.
Edwards said: “That is what we are here for, the cricket. It is important that we see the sights of New Zealand, this is a wonderful sight, but the cricket starts tomorrow and everyone is looking forward to getting outside and playing some cricket.”
Saturday’s 50-over game acts as preparation for a tour that consists of five one-day internationals and three Twenty20s.
Next Wednesday’s first ODI will be England’s first competitive encounter since last summer.
This is home for the next two weeks! #MountMaunganui pic.twitter.com/5BzrX4acNO
— Laura Marsh (@lauramarsh7) February 2, 2015
“I think everyone is really excited,” Edwards added. “We have had four or five months of not playing international cricket, so I think everyone is raring and ready to go. I can’t wait for tomorrow.
“We are in a wonderful venue here in Mount Maunganui and looking forward to starting the internationals next week.”
In their last outing, a narrow T20I victory over South Africa at Edgbaston, Winfield stole the show by blasting 74 off just 60 balls at the top of the order.
The Yorkshirewoman is looking to build on that performance in New Zealand, saying: “That seems quite a long time ago now.
“We have had a big winter and had a real chance to improve our games over the winter and the time we have had at home.
“I am massively looking forward to getting out there, playing some cricket again and looking to continue that form.”