Jemima Rodrigues' over-riding spirit is 'good to be back' as the Hundred led Northern Superchargers to victory with an unbeaten 92 in their opening match against Welsh Fire at Headingley.
Rodrigues' 43-ball knock included 17 fours and a six in all areas of the field. But, more importantly, it marked a welcome comeback for the India batsman, who went for more than 18 months without an international half-century. It was a fallow patch that led to Rodrigues being ignored for the last two ODIs against South Africa as well as the Test, the first ODI and all three T20Is on India's recent tour of England.
Rodrigues said, “I was not getting a chance to play.” Then when I got that opportunity in the second ODI [against England], I put a lot of pressure on myself. I said, 'I have to go out there, make the most of it and score runs' and all those things.
"I had to stay calm and play my game because I'm good enough, that's why I'm playing in the team. It was a little bit of a change that built my mindset, that I don't need to put too much pressure on myself to go out and score." To do or prove oneself or make it big.
"I just stuck to my game, kept things simple and played the best cricket I could possibly know. I was batting really well in the nets and it made a big difference because I knew my technique was anything but It wasn't wrong or whatever was going on. I'm there with a new mindset so I just worked with that."
Till this match he had scores of just 8 and 4 in his two appearances against England. But it was another innings on English soil that came to mind when reflecting on his latest outing for the Superchargers.
Barely a year and a half into his international career and just 18 years old, Rodrigues scored an unbeaten 112 off just 58 balls for Yorkshire Diamonds to beat the Southern Vipers in the 2019 Kia Super League unbeaten run.
"This time it was in a big stadium in front of the crowd and coming back after a long time, so it definitely felt very special," she said.
"I know these girls, in 2019 they made me feel very comfortable. Coming back here, really feels like coming home. I love batting in England, the wickets are more batsman friendly than in India.
"It was a very good innings and a very important one for me personally... It's great to be back."
During the 2019 season with the Diamonds, Rodrigues' on-side strength came to the fore. This Saturday afternoon in Leeds, his cover drive was particularly productive, as shown when he completed his half-century with back-to-back fours off Nicole Harvey's field as he collected the next over wide. It took a long break before making it three consecutive boundaries.
But she entered the area through third position to good effect with successive fours off Pippa Cleary.
Rodrigues said, 'Cricket has changed so much that you can't stick to one shot. "I am practicing a few shots by playing on the bowler's mind. If you are one step ahead of him it becomes easier. When you have to go for it you have to go for it so you take a calculated risk. .
"My dad always says it's not how much power you have or how much power you have, it's how you use your mind and how you play there, it's like our plan."
Rodrigues is one of three overseas players in the Northern Superchargers along with South African Laura Wolvaardt and Australian Laura Kimmins and before the tournament began, Rodrigues said she was enjoying the "responsibility" of being an international player in an overseas league. came with.
"I love that responsibility when the team wants you to play a certain role and take on that challenge," he said in the lead-up to the Superchargers' opening match. "Sometimes you need it because that's when the best comes out of you. I'm sure Wolfie and Laura Kimmins feel the same way."
Meanwhile, West Indies batsman Hayley Matthews, who top-scored for Welsh Fire with 30 off 20 balls on Saturday, acknowledged Rodrigues' contribution in "winning matches for his team".
Mathews said, 'Losing is never easy but at the same time you have to appreciate Jemimah's batting.
"He played a really, really good innings, and we really couldn't do much.
"Maybe we could have improved our bowling line and some misfields. Also, you have to give credit to his batting.