“You always want to contribute as a team member, it shows I’ve been able to do that and I’m pretty proud of it. I had no idea where I was at [runs-wise], so it was a nice surprise.
“Being an opening batter, I guess my job in the team is to score runs.”
The precision top-order batter joined the Hinds in the 2018/2019 season and has been named the Central Hinds Player of the Year three times.
Cricket is in Dodd’s blood and every spare chance she has, she returns to play for her beloved Waikato-based Kaipaki team.
“I’ve been with Kaipaki for a long time now. My coach John Parker has been a big part of establishing that club. I guess that’s the reason I play for them,” Dodd said.
“It’s not just that it’s a great bunch of people to play for. One, I love cricket, two, it’s such a great atmosphere and a real family culture. [But also] to support my coach who’s given up hours and hours of his own time to work with me, to support that club that he’s put his heart and soul into.
“It’s an awesome bunch of people. There’s a few girls in there as well and not all men’s teams are so keen on having girls, but they’re so welcoming.”
Having Dodd represent the rural club side provides invaluable experience for the up-and-comers.
“There’s a few of the girls that have mentioned that they’ve followed my career going through. So, that’s been pretty cool to play alongside them but it’s great to also have the support of the boys when I’m playing for the Hinds,” she says.
“The colours are the same, green and yellow/gold, so it makes it pretty easy to slip back into club games.”
Jesse Wood is a multimedia journalist based in Te Awamutu. He joined the Te Awamutu Courier and NZME in 2020.
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