Maddy Green made her international debut for the White Ferns at the age of 19 back in 2012. 12 years after her maiden appearance for her country, the middle order batter has played over 100 T20I matches and 73 ODI games. She has 1,423 ODI runs to her name and just over 1,000 T20I runs.
Green is known for her power hitting and handy fielding. She had her breakthrough season back in 2017-18 when she captained Auckland Hearts to a domestic one-day competition. She was also named the batter of the year for her side in the same season. Exactly a year after, she smashed her maiden and only international century so far, scoring 121 runs off just 77 balls against Ireland in Dublin.
During the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Green spoke to Women’s CricZone, sharing insights on New Zealand’s preparations, beating India in the opening game, UAE’s conditions, gaining rhythm and more.
Q: Can you take us through the amazing win against India? How was the whole atmosphere in your opening game? How important was the win and how’s the mood in the camp now?
Yeah, massive win for us as a group, obviously, the first game of the tournament for us, here in Dubai. And we know India is such a dangerous side with some serious match winners in their team. So look, I thought we put a pretty complete performance together as a group, you know. We've talked about trying to hit that 160 mark with the bat and I think over here in these conditions, it's really tough to chase. So I thought the way that Sophie batted, she was outstanding, and then our bowlers did an excellent job backing her up. So, yeah, really pleased for the girls. A really important win for us, obviously we got to take it one game at a time, but beating a team like India in this pool, which is a really tough pool, we know that's really critically important for us in terms of still keeping us alive in this competition.
Q: New Zealand are in Group A which is being considered the Group of Death by many. And you have already won your first game against India who were considered the favourites to advance to the semis. How do you plan to approach the remaining games?
Look, as I said, I think we just got to take it one game at a time, you know. Every team that we play over here is gonna be really difficult, particularly, you know, the subcontinent teams who are more used to these conditions and we potentially are. They're gonna be really tough, particularly as the tournament goes on and the pitches potentially get a bit slower. So, yeah, every game for us is going to be really tough. I think us winning against India, maybe some people might say that's unexpected but I think it just opens the group up, and it's gonna make it a really interesting finish to the pool play.
Q: Before the India game, New Zealand went through a rough patch with 10 straight defeats in T20Is. How was the mood in the camp and what was the team talk like ahead of the T20 World Cup?
Yeah, it's been a really difficult sort of six months for us from a results point of view. But we've been working really hard in the background. you know. It's just been about keeping the faith and knowing that the hard work that we're putting in is gonna pay off and that we're doing the right things behind closed doors and working really hard and have an eye on the T20 World Cup. Our preparation and the conditions that we're going to face are gonna be really important over here. And, you know, I thought the way that our openers set the tone against India was fantastic and then the way that Sophie finished off as well, they really laid a, a great blueprint for us in terms of how we want to bat over here.
Q: How are the hot conditions in UAE affecting your preparations? How have you and the team planned to tackle this situation?
Yeah, I think for us it's just about managing our recovery really well. It's obviously really hot and potentially that might mean training less than what we might at other sorts of tournaments and different venues. But it's about making sure that we're ready for game day and in the best possible place physically. So, yeah, look, it's, we've got some day training that I think we might not end up taking just to make sure everyone's rested and recovered so that we can hit the ground running when it comes to game day.
Q: The last two ICC tournaments have been hard for NZ. Lost a lot of close games in ODI WC at home back in 2022 and then narrowly missed out on the semis in T20 WC 2023. How difficult was it to deal with so many heartbreaks?
Yeah, look, I think the great thing about the women’s game over the last five years is the gap’s closing between the top teams and the rest of the world. And we’ve seen some really close games at these world tournaments over the last few years. It’s never easy losing but we’re really lucky that we’ve got a lot of experience in our group. We get on really well as a team, and we all know that we’re working hard for each other. So it’s just about getting back up, keep working hard and keep trusting the process. I think the way that we played against India, it was a great result for us, and, you know, we’ve been working really hard so it was really satisfying to get that one first up.
Q: Since we’re talking about the past, can you talk about the beginning of the cricketing journey and where it all began?
Yeah, I used to live up the road from a cricket club in Auckland. And my parents love cricket and they signed me up for my club when I was sort of five or six and that's where it started for me. I just love the game and I've sort of been fortunate with the different opportunities I've been provided with over my career and playing for Auckland and Wellington and, and now New Zealand as well. Yeah, really grateful to play for such a long period of time and we've got such a great group and I love playing for the White Ferns. So it's a real privilege to be to be selected for this team for the T20 World Cup.
Q: And how was the feeling scoring your maiden international century against Ireland back in 2018?
That was, that was really cool, obviously. Had Suzie Bates at the other end too and she was smacking it around that day and really lucky that I got to spend time in the middle batting with the likes of Suzie, Sophie (Devine) and Melie (Kerr), you know. It makes it really enjoyable to bat out in the middle. So, yeah, that was great. Obviously, personal milestones are nice and hopefully I'm just trying to contribute to team performances and hopefully I can do that over this tournament.
Q: Cutting back to present, what are your goals for this T20 World Cup and beyond?
For me, it's just about trying to execute my role in the middle order and being able to finish games really well for the team. And, yeah, look, that's not always easy when the conditions are slow. It's just been really clear what my game plan is and, and trying to play a match-winning innings if that's trying to score quickly off four or five balls and run really hard with my mate at the other end if that's fine. So, yeah, it's just about doing the role that's required for me, for this team to help be successful over here.
Q: One last question, the White Ferns always seem a fun bunch even when things are not going your way. How do you guys do it?
I think our captain and coach talk a lot about our values of caring and competing. For us, that care element is so big in this team and we spend a lot of time on the road, playing cricket and training as well and it's important that we look out for each other. We've got a group that gets along really well and cares about each other first as people. And I think that's really important and that makes it a little bit easier in the tough times. We obviously go out there to win games. But, you know, that's not always the case and it's just about sticking tight as a group supporting each other and helping each other to get better. And I think that's something that this group does really well.