England bowler Laura Marsh is relishing the “tough task” of facing New Zealand and is delighted to be back in the action following injury troubles.
A shoulder injury in 2013 meant Marsh had been unable to represent her country since helping to win the Ashes on home soil.
However, the World Cup and World Twenty20 winner is now raring to go up against New Zealand in the first of five one-day internationals next Wednesday.
#Engwomen are training hard in the nets today in NZ https://t.co/Q7DBjIrI4M
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 4, 2015
Marsh, who was named in the England women's squad alongside Rebecca Grundy, told ecb.co.uk:“It’s good to be back definitely.
"It’s been a long tough year or so, doing all my rehab. It’s good to be back with the girls and feel part of the team again.
“Once you pick up a serious injury like that, it’s going to be hard to get back to 100 per cent, but I’m certainly getting back there and hopefully if I get the opportunity, I can hit my straps.”
This is home for the next two weeks! #MountMaunganuipic.twitter.com/5BzrX4acNO
— Laura Marsh (@lauramarsh7) February 2, 2015
The first three ODIs, which count towards the International Cricket Council Women’s Championship, take place at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on February 11, 13 and 15, and New Zealand will, as always, prove formidable opponents for England.
However, Marsh can also see a few areas to exploit, saying: “They are a fantastic side. They often reach the finals of ICC tournaments.
“They’ve got a lot of experience in there (but) they’ve also got a lot of inexperience, so expect a tough task.”