Lyn Brittain's achievements may not always grab the headlines, but when the North End indoor bowler starts play today in the Henselite trans-Tasman test at Broken Hill in Australia, the New Zealand side will be counting on her experience.
Brittain has never slacked from improving her game since winning her first
Northland centre title way back in 1978 - a win in the Mick Pretious Memorial Fours.
Earlier this month, at Moerewa, the Whangarei bowler won the title again - her 20th Northland centre title.
The 57-year-old has remained at the top of her game for most of that time, adding national success to her Northland titles.
She has twice won the Truth Cup, the prestigious award given to the top woman at the national singles championship, as well as a host of other titles.
Brittain was recognised with international status in 2001, participating in the same biannual series against Australia that year and again in 2003. She was reserve in 2005 and 2007 and this year returns to skip the women's triples and play at No 3 in the women's four.
For every player selected to represent their country, it is the pinnacle of achievement, particularly when they are playing Australia.
New Zealand squeaked home against Australia two years ago to retain the Henselite Trophy at Pukekohe.
The match ended in a draw but New Zealand, as the holders, retained the trophy.
New Zealand has won the Henselite Trophy 14 times, including the last eight tests in a row, while Australia has been successful on just three occasions, in 1976, 1979 and 1991.
But as the last encounter showed, the gap has closed considerably and Australia is poised and motivated to turn the tables this year.
The two new caps in the New Zealand team are Wellington's Grant Rayner and Taranaki's Grant Harvey.
For Australia, only seven players who competed against New Zealand at Pukekohe in 2007 have survived.
Play starts today and will continue until Saturday.
