Playing for New Zealand has always been Hayley Jensen's dream, but she had to think twice when White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen came calling.
The ACT Meteors pace bowler has been selected in New Zealand's squad for a five match Twenty20 international series against the West Indies in March.
But for a few moments the 25-year-old considered knocking back a return to international cricket.
Jensen has been living and playing in Australia long enough to be classified as a local player, and playing for New Zealand again would change her status to an international player.
WNCL clubs are allowed two international players but that could be changed to one next season, while WBBL clubs are allowed three.
Thus, Jensen had the option of playing for the White Ferns or staying in Australia to make it easier to secure WNCL and WBBL contracts.
She followed her heart and picked New Zealand, but that could leave her two-year contract with the Meteors in jeopardy – so she's desperate to finish on a high as the ACT fight for a final berth.
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The Meteors face South Australia at the Kingston Twin Ovals in Tasmania on Friday and back up against Tasmania on Sunday, and two wins could send the Meteors to the big show.
"The coach gave me a couple of hours basically to decide whether I wanted to play or not," Jensen said.
"I was like 'Jesus'. I had to call my family, coaches and manager just to figure out what I want to do.
"They were basically like 'just follow your heart'. Playing for New Zealand is what you've always wanted to do and international cricket is the highest level of cricket you can play.
"You're only going to get better if you're playing at the highest level and testing your skills against the highest players so just go for it and see what happens.
"If it doesn't work out it doesn't work out, it's not meant to be. I'm just going to go for it and see what happens basically."
Jensen made a name for herself when she took 5-26 in the women's Ashes tour match against Australia at Manuka Oval late last year.
Performances like that have seen the Kiwi sensation leap back in to the international frame, having already made her debut for the White Ferns in 2014.
Jensen already has four one-day internationals and nine Twenty20 international matches to her name, but her return to the top flight has left her future up in the air.
"There's a bit of an issue with my contract. I'm on a two-year contract with ACT, so whether they can keep my contract going or whether it's void now that I'm an international player, they have to work that out," Jensen said.
"They're having a few meetings about that at the moment so I'm not sure if I'm able to play WNCL this coming season [2018-19] but hopefully I can.
"Fingers crossed. If my contract doesn't get sorted then they can hopefully pick me up as an international next year and have no choice but to pick me."
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SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
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