Lea Tahuhu delighted to be recalled in NZ women's squad for CWG 2022

New Zealand women's cricketer Lea Tahuhu is excited to be back in the squad for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games after being ignored initially by the selectors. 

Despite suffering a hamstring injury in the tournament, Tahuhu stood out for New Zealand women's team in the ICC Women's World Cup 2022. She bagged ten wickets earlier this year, ending the mega event as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the White-Ferns.  

Surprisingly, she was axed from the 17-member contract terms, but New Zealand Cricket (NZC) later stated that a player could be chosen outside the contracted group. However, after that, she suffered another setback as she was also left out of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games squad. Nevertheless, the right-arm quick was recalled by the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) last year as a replacement for pacer Jess Kerr. 

Kerr has been ruled out due to a foot injury she sustained during the Women’s World Cup 2022 match against Pakistan. However, Tahuhu is eager to make her mark and "excited" about the opportunity of representing her nation again.

"It's an honour anytime to be able to put on the black shirt, and it was my ambition to fight my way back in and to be given that opportunity now… it's really exciting," said Lea Tahuhu, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

The 31-year-old cricketer feels for her teammates who were part of the original squad but will be missing the CWG in England.

"Other people's misfortune has given me this opportunity earlier than anyone would have expected, and I certainly feel a lot for the girls missing out on any tour and not being able to play for your country,"

Amidst what all happened in the last few months post the World Cup, Tahuhu is looking at the brighter picture.

"There's no denying that it was a tough situation a few weeks ago, but I'm looking to put that behind me now, and I've been given an opportunity to play again, and I'm just really excited to get going with the girls in a week or so,"

Tahuhu admitted that she was disappointed to miss out on the spot in the original squad and thought her dream of playing in CWG was over.

"Certainly, been a bit of a rollercoaster. Disappointed to miss out in the first place, and I guess that dream of playing in the Commonwealth Games was gone, so to be reinstated over the last few days has certainly given another high. I'm excited to be able to head over there," she concluded.

Along with Tahuhu, Claudia Green has been included in the squad after batter Lauren Down left the team to prioritize her well-being away from the game.

New Zealand Women will hold a training camp in Lincoln before departing for the UK on July 12. They will compete in warm-up games ahead of the Commonwealth Games, which will begin on Thursday (July 28) and last until Monday (August 8).