The Central Hinds and Manawatū Cricket will be missing a familiar face next summer, JESS WATKIN today announcing her decision to head north ahead of the 2023/24 season.

After almost a decade of service to CD, the off-spinning allrounder is moving to Northern Districts ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Hinds cap 130, Watkin departs with a record of 85 one-dayers and 72 T20 matches for the team over the past nine seasons, a mainstay of the Hinds since her Domestic debut as a 15-year-old Whanganui schoolgirl in 2013. 

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Watkin’s Central years saw her named Central Hinds Player of the Year three times, and make the WHITE FERNS — debuting in both international formats when she was just 20, on the team’s 2018 tour of Ireland and England. 

On a memorable T20i debut, she blasted 77 not out off 38 balls — a WHITE FERNS record for a debutante. Then came another half century (her career high score of 62 off 59 balls) just two days later on ODI debut.

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Watkin's last appearance for the international team was in November of the same year, but in the Hinds green, the crowd-pleasing 25-year-old continued to stamp her mark.

She has 2,073 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield runs, including a career-high 158 — a maiden century that took the Wellington Blaze apart at Karori Park. It sits alongside Watkin's 15 List A half centuries.

Respected for her ability to smash a six, as well as dangerous off-spinners and sharp fielding reflexes, Watkin chalked up her 100th one-day wicket for the team in the last season.

In the T20 format, she made six half tons and a high score of 95, and took 54 wickets, including a best of 4/22, from the Dream11 Super Smash, as well as a Hinds wicket against India as a souvenir from a rare T20 tour match against an international side in Napier.

 

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Earlier in her career trajectory, she turned heads with a ground-breaking 200 off 123 balls at the now-defunct U21 Nationals - the first player to achieve a double ton at this level, helping CD win that title.

She has either captained or co-captained the Hinds in the T20 format in recent summers — stepping aside from that role towards the end of last season in order to refocus on her batting and says that saying goodbye to Central Districts is "tough".

“I am very grateful for the opportunities and support CD has given me over the last 10 years," Watkin says.

"CD has supported me since I was a young girl, and has allowed me to grow to where I am today.”

MBUTCHER | CDCA

Coach JAMIE WATKINS said Watkin will be missed by the team in all respects, but she departs with everyone’s best wishes. 

“Jess has been an absolute star for this team, and an always thoughtful leader. 

“We thank Jess for everything she has done for the Hinds and CD cricket, and our District Associations where she has not only been a star on the field, but off it as well with Community cricket and development roles.

“We all wish her well for the future. Everyone wants to see Jess play for New Zealand again."

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With outstanding young players emerging through the CD development system in recent seasons, the Hinds are in a good position to continue to shine. 

Left-arm top order off-spinning allrounder Flora Devonshire (Hawke’s Bay, 20) and 2023 NZ Under 19 World Cup batter Emma McLeod (Wairarapa, 17) both debuted for the team in the 2022/23 season.

Both are potent strikers of the ball, McLeod having scored a maiden half century on Hinds debut and Devonshire also impressing with her spin bowling performances on the big stage in her maiden season.

Nineteen-year-old spinning allrounders Ashtuti Kumar (Manawatū) and Ocean Bartlett (Wairarapa), and young Hawke's Bay batter Cate Pedersen, will also be eyeing up the prospect of more game time on the park, after having debuted for the team in recent seasons, while still at school.

“The change creates an opportunity for a number of players,” Watkins noted, "both in the batting line-up and spin department, to show us more of what they can do.”

 

 

Along with the other five women's Domestic teams in the country, the Central Hinds’ contracted squad for 2023/24 will be finalised and announced in the coming months, while the new season's WHITE FERNS contracted players will be announced next week by NZC.

Central Districts Cricket thanks Jess Watkin for her service to CD Cricket and the Central Hinds team.

Article added: Wednesday 14 June 2023