Women’s T20 World Cup: Touching moment as Kiwis give Thailand players impromptu coaching clinic
New Zealand’s White Ferns have shown their class before a ball has been bowled at the Twenty20 World Cup after giving minnows Thailand a skills session after their practice match in Adelaide. WATCH THE VIDEO
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Sornnarin Tippoch’s Thailand is taking the underdog label to the next level before the women’s Twenty20 World Cup.
No sooner had Thailand’s 81-run practice match loss in Adelaide on Wednesday finished than the undisputed competition minnow split into groups with conqueror New Zealand, trawling for tips.
“We were excited to play against New Zealand,” Tippoch said. “They gave us some ideas for batting and accurate bowling. After today’s match we will learn and improve a lot and like to challenge ourselves more.”
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Well this is just brilliant from New Zealand, coming over to congratulate us on the performance, to give us some tips and to have a chat. Champions on and off the field. #T20WorldCup #EmergingCricket pic.twitter.com/2DF5X7LGId
— Cricket Thailand (@ThailandCricket) February 19, 2020
In an impromptu clinic, the White Ferns imparted the basics of holding the ball for seam and swing bowling, while batters were given insights into stance at the crease.
The tournament’s maiden South-East Asian qualifier must learn on the job, fast.
No.1-ranked ICC T20 batter Suzie Bates (78, 47 balls) gave the Thais a taste of the hitting power and physical challenge that await against established nations, with eight boundaries and two sixes at Karen Rolton Oval. Smash sisters Bates and Sophie Devine strike with an aggression and presence that Thailand hadn’t encountered in its 17-game winning streak in qualification.
Tippoch noted the size, strokeplay and zeal of a superior opposition.
How good is this?
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 19, 2020
After today's game between New Zealand and Thailand, the @WHITE_FERNS spent time chatting with the @ThailandCricket squad offering tips and expertise ahead of Thailand's maiden #T20WorldCup appearance 👠#SpiritOfCricket pic.twitter.com/7seHTFfp0D
This is so pure and gives me all the feels. #WT20WC #T20WorldCup https://t.co/euKgMvlaKn
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) February 19, 2020
Each error will be punished and any weakness exposed but the Thais know there won’t be progress without initial pain.
“They are strong and have a confident team, hit the ball hard. They punished our mistakes,” said Tippoch, who started playing cricket with a plastic ball aged nine at school.
However, the chasm between Thailand and rivals has closed since it folded for 40 when Tippoch and Nattaya Boochatham featured in its inaugural game against Nepal in Malaysia 13 years ago.
The Thais will rely heavily on allrounders Tippoch, Chanida Sutthiruang and Boochatham in a tough group including former World Cup champions England and the West Indies.
Scenes after New Zealand and Thailand's warm-up game 🥠💃🕺
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 19, 2020
Brace yourself for #TheBigDance 😉#NZvTHA | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/alMaNrd1jR
Sutthiruang’s 31 from 36 balls, including four boundaries, showed teammates the virtue of dash and dare, while Tippoch (21) offered a solid knock. Undefeated Onnicha Kamchomphu (17, 7) swung that bat impressively late in the Thai innings. Sutthiruang underlined the quality that delivered ICC’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year gong, dismissing top scorers Bates and Amelia Kerr (54, 40) with seam bowling that is conspicuous in Thailand’s spin heavy attack.
The enthusiasm of the Thai players was matched only by assembled fans, who didn’t stop beating drums and dancing in Adelaide.
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This a side that occupied a single dwelling in Bangkok during preparation for a debut World Cup. “This has changed my life and this about inspiration in Thailand cricket,” said Tippoch.
There was a joy in Thailand’s cricket and unbridled thirst for knowledge that struck a chord with the Kiwis.
“They wanted a chat about how we go about our cricket,” said White Ferns captain Rachel Priest. “I am so pleased for them to get here.”
Originally published as Women’s T20 World Cup: Touching moment as Kiwis give Thailand players impromptu coaching clinic