6 March - Dunedin - New Zealand player Suzie Bates pre-match press conference

Reporter: Susie, thanks for talking to us today, I guess just quickly -has everyone pulled up, okay, from the last game in terms of injuries and niggles and all that?

Suzie: Yeah, as far as I know, I think we're all fully fit. So we've got a light training this afternoon, but yeah, this stage you have runs available for selection.

Reporter: In terms of that, the quick turnaround - does that help? But also, how do you kind of keep a balance between reflecting on the last game and looking ahead with I guess, tournament cricket and how fast that comes?

Suzie: Yeah, I think it does help - obviously, that close loss was a little bit heartbreaking for everyone getting so close and being disappointed at the end, but then we were on a plane to Dunedin and that's going to be the nature of this tournament for us. The whole way through is that we play in - and the next day, we're on to a new venue. So I think it works in our favor. We're now in Dunedin and a different opposition and obviously, we talked about that game and some of the learnings we can take from it, but we're just going to move on and take one game at a time. And that's tomorrow with Bangladesh.

Reporter: Do you I guess focus on one thing at all, or do you keep it general in terms of going on to the next game and looking forward to it. But also, knowing that you probably can't afford too many more slip ups with how tight the tournament will be after that first loss.

Suzie: I think the luxury of playing at home is we've had a big buildup, and we've been really consistent with the way we prepare, with the way we review, with the way we train. So nothing's really changed I guess in regards to that, and Bob mentioned just before in our review that every game we got to play, we aim to win - so nothing changes. And although there's the added I guess pressures of World Cup - each game we're trying to compete our best every ball. So that's what we're going to focus on as a group and this World Cup, there's going to be no let offs in terms of opposition. So we've just got to turn up each day and compete.

Reporter: How were spirits after that game and given the nature of it and given that there's a few younger players in the side as well. How do you kind of quickly I guess, let that hurt a little bit. But what do you do away from training and away from the field to make sure everyone's in the right mindset, but also in good spirits?

Suzie: Yeah, afterwards people probably saw we were pretty deflated. And, obviously Fran Jonas she was pretty upset after the game and Katey Martin also knowing how close she got the team to winning that. But we sort of got to the whole nature of this one, we had to have our bags out at 11pm. And consistent with what this group's done all summer, we met for a quick catch up just before going to bed and made sure that we'd moved on and making sure that we stick – that’s what this group is about and enjoying each other's company. So, look immediately after people were upset, but we know how this group works, and we had to make sure that last night and today, we're bringing good vibes and that'll start again at training today.

Reporter: Hey, I think I've done my research correctly. So you've never played the White Ferns in Dunedin.

Suzie: That is correct. That is correct.

Reporter: It's probably mentioned quite a few times.

Suzie: I'm trying not to mention it because the last time we had a game against South Africa It rained the whole day. So I'm just you know, taking it day by day and hoping tomorrow the sun comes out.

Reporter: Your fingers crossed, been a glorious weekend. But I will ask, what would it mean for you to play a World Cup game on home turf?

Suzie: Yeah, it'll be really special. And I guess the fact that I have never played here for the White Fins makes it that much more special and a home World Cup - to be able to have some of my family and friends up on the bank. And I talked about it with Katie Martin this morning and you know, Steve Martin and Windy Martin have been like sticking cricket parents to me and they sit on the same spot, whether we're playing age group cricket, or whether we're playing for the Sparks and now for New Zealand. So we'll just have that real comfort of knowing what this ground is about and lucky enough and seeing the people that have been there since we were under 15.

So it's going to be a pretty cool moment to sing the national anthem and be at your home ground. It's the first time I'm sure tomorrow will be a pretty cool day.

Reporter: Is this going to be a tournament of runs - a batters going to decide this tournament?

Suzie: Well, looking at the start of the tournament, I think so – and the nature of New Zealand wickets at this time of the year and the way the grounds have been prepared, I think they will be pretty flat and true wickets and at this stage it looks like you're going to need above 250 - But I think as the tournament goes on, that could change slightly as the wickets get older. But at this stage, I do think it's going to be about the batters and the top six that can get an early form and put on some big totals.

Reporter: I don't imagine you enjoy getting run out at the non-striker’s end too much.

Suzie: No, I'm just hoping that little bit of bad luck just means tomorrow I get all the luck so - Bob Carter did say I was quite far out of my crease but Sophie hits the ball quite hard straight so maybe I can just sit back on my heels if I see it shaping that way. But yeah, look - it is what it is, and that happens in cricket. Obviously I was disappointed to not get more of the bat but there's plenty more cricket to come and I just can't wait to get out there tomorrow.

Reporter: It's a hugely exciting time for cricket but it's also been a sad time with Shane Warnes death - can I ask you Suzie, did you ever meet him, have anything to do with him?

Suzie: I have - not while he played but recently I've had the fortune of being on the MCC Cricket Board and so we have had a couple of meetings before COVID and at Lords where he was there - so I have met him a couple of times and everything that's come out is true - he lights up the room, he is very charming and just absolutely loves talking cricket and some of those did drag on because once he is talking about cricket - he's so passionate - so yeah, I wouldn't say I was really close to him but I had met him on a couple of occasions - so really sad news, it was nice to see Allana King take a leg spin - and sort of pay tribute to him and the Aussies get that win with the sad news of both Shane and Rod Marsh.

Reporter: Just one from me – look Katie Martin is an excitement machine – how are you keeping Katie in check hitting in for an exciting time in Dunedin tomorrow?

Suzie: I don't think there's any keeping Katie Martin in check. So I think I'll just let her be. Get all the fuzz levels out of the system. And yeah, tomorrow I'll make sure we get around each other and just I guess have a moment to realize that we’re still hanging near and we finally made it - but yeah, she's, well, maybe I'm just as excited - but she's definitely bouncing off the walls. So we'll just keep her in check at training today. And hopefully we make it to tomorrow.

Reporter: I guess this is sort of big for the whole city, isn't it? You know, like a lot of people have sort of come together and pulled together to get the cricket down here in Dunedin and to sort of be down here and playing in Dunedin

Suzie: Yeah, the city is right behind it. And everyone's been hanging out for this game tomorrow and the Dunedin city council have done such an amazing job of bringing World Cup Women’s cricket to Dunedin, the ground look immaculate as always, but it looks spectacular at the moment. So really looking forward to seeing who comes out tomorrow to get behind the girls but yeah, that's cricket and the Dunedin City Council - It's just awesome that we're a part of this woman's World Cup.

Reporter: Thanks.