Cricket: Rejuvenated Lewis vital for White Ferns success

Maia Lewis' successful comeback to the White Ferns after six years away is a feature of the women's world series tournament, which finishes at Lincoln, near Christchurch, today with the New Zealand-Australia final.

Lewis, a former New Zealand captain, last played for the country in 1997. She appeared destined not to play at the highest level again after knee surgery sapped her motivation.

But she recaptured her zest for the game and goes into the final at Bert Sutcliffe Oval as New Zealand's leading runscorer, with 182, and the best average of 60. Her fighting 43 held the New Zealand innings together in their match against Australia on Thursday.

"I was quite gutted in December 2000 when I watched New Zealand win at Lincoln because I had played in two World Cup finals and we had lost them both," she said. "I was quite jealous of the girls at not being part of a winning team but it gave me a little bit of hunger.

"I went through a patch two or three years ago when I became quite despondent and was lacking motivation in general."

Lewis, 32, scored well for Wellington in the provincial league this season but had not deliberately set out to play herself back into the White Ferns.

"I was just concentrating on doing well for Wellington. But once I started scoring a few runs I thought maybe there was some life left," she said. "The national selectors asked me whether it was my intention to be around for the next World Cup [early 2005] - now that's one of my goals."

New Zealand's top order must succeed to ensure a competitive encounter.

Key batsmen Rebecca Rolls and Emily Drumm have missed out in the first two matches against Australia.

New Zealand cannot match Australia's impressive bowling attack, with fast bowler Cathryn Fitzpatrick leading from the front after a five-wicket haul on Thursday.

- NZPA