In our exclusive interview with Xara Jetly, the dynamic young cricketer from New Zealand, we delved into her multifaceted journey. Xara shared her experiences of starting cricket at a young age, her transition from being a netball aspirant, and the challenges she faced in her early years. She vividly recalled the memorable moments of bowling against legends like Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, reflecting on how those experiences shaped her career.
During the chat, she also revealed her admiration for cricketers like Nathan Lyon, and Ellyse Perry, highlighting her deep connection with the game and her enthusiasm for learning from the best. With such a balanced approach, Xara represents the new-age athlete who blends sports with varied interests, striving to excel in all facets of life.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
Q: Take us through your cricketing journey. How did it all begin for you?
Xara: I started playing cricket for the blaze when I was 16 and I debuted at 17, so it’s been a fantastic journey over five years of I guess professional cricket with a very successful side and oh man I’m just, I’m probably gonna be play playing cricket until I can’t walk anymore so that’s the goal.
Q: Your mom wanted you to play netball, so how did you end up playing cricket?
Xara: I was told brutally by a selector, a netball selector that I was too short and that really hurt my feeling so Mom looked at me and said okay Xara what other sport can you do, what other sport can we make you a professional athlete and while you’re you’re short and cricket kind of came my way and there was football as well and here we are now.
Q: You received a contract at just 17, what was that experience like?
Xara: Oh my gosh, amazing feeling. I was in my room I get a phone call from my coach and oh it was just a fantastic feeling I’ll never ever forget it and yeah I mean to be contracted at 16 I was surrounded by very very good players such as Devine and Amelia Kerr you know it’s pretty freaky so it was all surreal feeling it’s really hard to kind of take myself back to that.
Q: You played with Amelia Kerr in junior cricket, how’s your bond with her?
Xara: I feel like Millie just gets along with everyone but I think I particularly know Millie quite well because we obviously play in the same Cricket Club at North City Cricket Club in Tawa and although I never got to play with a club Cricket I got to play Wellington representative under 15s and under 21s and that was really awesome and I mean her style of cricket was just phenomenal she was just you know a step ahead of everyone and her charisma her character she just hasn’t changed she’s still crazy dancing heaps and adds a lot of value to what was under 21’s then to the Blaze and now the White Ferns right so it’s been really cool to watch her grow as a player she’s just fantastic.
Q: Your three dream wickets to take?
Xara: I think I’ve already kind of taken all my dream wickets. I mean Suzie (Suzie Bates) has been a dream and that was performed so let’s just say Suzie and I guess I wanna try to get Melia (Amelia Kerr) out in the nets and Sophie (Sophie Devine) out in the nets let’s just say that.
Also READ: 10 lesser-known facts about New Zealand’s supremely talented all-rounder, Amelia Kerr
Q: Your three favourite spinners in international cricket?
Xara: Nathan Lyon is one, Charlie Dean‘s another and Sophie Ecclestone’s probably a third yeah those are my three favorite spinners.
Q: Have you got the chance to meet Nathan Lyon?
Xara: No. I’d be pretty nervous I think the first thing I’d say to Nathan Lyon is hey talk to me about off spin watch me and tell me how I can be better because how can I be the best in the world like you that’s what I would say.
Q: Your favourite IPL team and why you support it?
Xara: Well, RCB is pretty cool because Ellyse Perry is in it and Virat Kohli of course. I mean we’ve had this conversation about Virat Kohli, he’s a pretty cool guy it’d be really awesome to see him and meet him one day. And Ellyse Perry is just obviously one of the greats, especially in the woman’s game so it would be awesome to just talk to her about cricket and pick her brain and knowledge I think that’s why I choose RCB.
Q: A team in WPL you dream of representing?
Xara: I would say RCB that’s my favorite team. I have to say that or Mumbai Indians. Yeah Mumbai would be really cool oh you know what I think any team if I had the opportunity to play in any team it would just be my little girl dream, so let’s just hope we’ll get there one day.
Q: Your favourite cricketers in men’s and women’s cricket?
Xara: So, Nathan Lyon is one of them. I love Kane Williamson, I think he’s fantastic and then I would say Ellyse Perry on the woman’s side and then Charlie Dean.
Watch the full interview:
Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with USA rising star Anika Kolan: Role models, U19 leadership, all-time favourite cricketers
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.