Lydia Greenway says England women cannot wait for Wednesday’s first one-day international against New Zealand.
Charlotte Edwards’ tourists have had one match since arriving in the country last week, convincingly beating Northern Spirit at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
Either side of that warm-up game, the squad has had several training sessions and a couple of rest days to explore the sights of New Zealand.
Now Greenway is ready for the competitive cricket to begin, with the first three ODIs counting towards England’s position in the International Cricket Council Women’s Championship.
Heather Knight faces Katherine Brunt in the nets at training #EngWomen https://t.co/vwHCuXEQjt
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 8, 2015
She told ecb.co.uk: “We have had a few days practice and a warm-up game, which went really well.
“The girls are just really keen to get out there and start the ODIs now. We have prepared as well as we can now and everyone is raring to go.”
Skipper Edwards, Heather Knight and Katherine Brunt all produced fine performances against the Spirit.
Greenway said: “It is brilliant the way the girls played. Charlotte and Katherine did really well and other people like Heather Knight contributed too.
“It is good for us to see the girls putting in good performances and hopefully we can carry that forward.”
#Engwomen have taken some time out of training in NZ to pay Frodo & Bilbo a quick visit #TheShire#Hobbitonpic.twitter.com/O62t3m7kfr
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) February 8, 2015
Last week several players took advantage of the chance to climb Mount Maunganui and today the squad visited the set of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Greenway added: “It is nice to get out and about and enjoy the scenery.
“I have to admit I haven’t actually seen the films. But a lot off the girls here have seen all of them. It is nice to have a look round and see what it is all about.
“We are really lucky to travel the world and different places. It is important that we embrace it and take in different ways of life.
“New Zealand is a lovely country so it is nice to make the most of it.”