Fresh from a stunning 3 for 22 that destroyed the New Zealand top order and led Australia to a third win on the spin, teenage quick Darcie Brown is keyed up for the next World Cup outing, against West Indies on Tuesday.
Brown was ruthless against New Zealand on Sunday, taking the wickets of Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr and Frances Mackay in a match-defining spell. Her favourite wicket was that of Kerr, who she had caught in the slips courtesy an athletic leap from Beth Mooney. "Moons' catch was pretty special. It was a pretty big screamer and the girls were up and about," Brown said of the moment.
Brown's last wicket left New Zealand 35 for 5 and Australia eventually scripted to a 141-run win - their second-biggest-ever win margin in ODIs over New Zealand.
It was a fine return from Brown, especially given her poor none for 40 off six overs against England that led to her sitting out Australia's win over Pakistan.
"During the Pakistan match, I had a bit of a bowl, a bit of a trundle with Ben Sawyer, our bowling coach," she said. "He helped me with a few tips and cues to bowl to try and go a bit fuller, and, I guess, swing it a bit more... that put me in good stead for that New Zealand match."
And her team-mates were glowing in their reviews. "I don't think I've ever seen Darce bowl that well," Ash Gardner said, while Ellyse Perry said Brown did "amazingly well".
Even Brown was surprised. "I felt like I was in pretty good control with the ball. I don't usually feel like that," she said. "It's probably up there with how I felt with control and rhythm and, I guess, pace."
"I want to play every single game. But with the path of young fast bowlers there's been a fair few injuries. When management say I need a rest you've just got to trust them and know it's in your best interest"Darcie Brown
Next up are West Indies, who have beaten New Zealand and England, but arrive at Basin Reserve off a big loss to India.
"It'd be an awesome challenge. We played against them in a practice match, and [Deandra Dottin] whacked me around a little bit," she said.
However, Brown's selection isn't assured, given her age - 19 - and the riches available to captain Meg Lanning. Against New Zealand, the skipper made the tough call to leave out the world's No. 1-ranked ODI bowler Jess Jonassen in favour of pace.
"We had a really tough selection... JJ missed out and she's a world-class bowler, and has done extremely well for us for a long time," Lanning said. "We felt that extra pace option was the way to go. It worked today but on another day it might not."
Brown said she would understand whichever way the call went. "I want to play every single game," she said. "But with the path of young fast bowlers there's been a fair few injuries. When management say I need a rest you've just got to trust them and know it's in your best interest."
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