Frankie Mackay, Canterbury Magicians captain is an absolute legend in cricket. She was an integral member of the 2022 White Ferns ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup campaign. As well as playing 60 ODIs and T20s for her country she is equally adept in the commentary box mixing it with the likes of Doull, Smith and Debbie Hockley. She shares her thoughts about the game she loves.
Q1. Most memorable game?
The recent White Ferns v England match at Eden Park during the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup is a game I will remember forever. A must win match for us and it had it all. A good opening partnership for the home side, an injury to our captain whilst batting, a lower order collapse leaving us with a sub par total, losing our best bowler to injury midway through her over, rain, an English collapse of 5-20, drs reviews, a run out for the 9th wicket and unfortunately a 10th wicket partnership of 8 runs to get the English across the line. However, what really sticks out to me was the feeling inside the ground, the crowd was electric and vocal in their support. I woke up hoarse the next morning purely from yelling trying to be heard over the crowd noise, I can only imagine what playing in front of 50,000 people at Eden Park would be like! It really felt like the whole ground and whole country was cheering us on and willing us on to a win. When we got the 9th wicket and came together as a fielding unit there was not one shred of doubt in the group that we could win this. The entire group was bright-eyed with excitement, exhilaration pulsing through the huddle. It felt as though another brilliant sporting moment on Eden Park was about to happen as the rain continued to fall and neither team even contemplating going off. And within all the madness and the cheering there was me at the top of my mark, ball in hand, trying to make something special happen for my team and my country. Whilst we did not quite get over the line, I think I will remember this game forever and the moment at the start of what would be my last over of the day where I stood with a smile on my face, ball in hand, took a deep breath, looked around and thought, “How lucky am I?”
Q2. Most memorable personal performance?
Firsts are always particularly memorable and I remember my first hundred for Canterbury extremely fondly. It was one of the first times in my career that I felt like I was in the zone and almost as though time had slowed down for me. It is still my highest score and perhaps the best I have batted! My first 5 wicket bag for Canterbury was very similar, almost as though I could predict exactly how the batter would play and could bowl the right ball accordingly.
Having spent the majority of my time opening the batting, any time I can end up still at the crease when the winning runs are scored is always a wonderful feeling and any time I end up on the winning side after being tasked with bowling the last over is a feeling that cannot be replicated.
In terms of days where it all goes right on the park I played a club final for Lancaster Park one year where we lost the toss and got sent in and I batted through the innings and made a hundred, then got to bowl on a wearing wicket and ended up with 5fa as well as pouching 3 catches. It was a great day out and one I often smile about; cricket isn’t always the kindest game but on that day it all felt easy (and very enjoyable!).
Q3. What or who was the major influence in shaping you as a player?
I have been very fortunate to cross paths with many good people and good coaches who put a lot of time and effort into me, especially as a young player. My parents have been my biggest supporters throughout my career and have watched more cricket than most people I know! Gary Stead was my first Canterbury Magicians coach and first White Ferns coach and I owe him a great deal of gratitude for the time he invested in me, the trainings together were always tough but I learnt so much from him during his time in the women’s game. The continued support of coaches and Canterbury cricket allowed me to forge my own path and grow up into the person I am today. And it is the ability to be authentic in everything that I do that has really shaped me as a player. I am a big believer in learning from those around you, sometimes that will be things you do want to do or replicate and sometimes it is learning what doesn’t sit well with you. I can still remember when Claire Taylor came to play in Canterbury and her attitude around close games was infectious. She would be almost bouncing out of her seat with excitement and regularly spoke about the need to enjoy the close games as they are the memorable experiences and the reasons we do all the training and put in the hours of preparation. This really stuck with me and is something I try and bring to the game now – the mantra of there is no where I would rather be than in the middle of a close contest. It is amazing how when you change your thinking around it how nerves are quickly replaced with excitement.
Q4. Advice for a current secondary school player who has a vision to play at the top level?
It may sound cliché but enjoy it. It is meant to be fun after all. There is a lot of hard work that will need to go in but the early mornings and late nights are all worth it. Cricket is a game based on failure so make sure you enjoy the successes along the way, no matter how big or small. And if it is what you really want then go after it with both hands.
Q5. A vital aspect of the ethos of the game which must be strengthened?
That cricket is a game for all. It is a wonderful sport where you have the opportunity to make lifelong friends and live amazing experiences. The game will continue to change over time but the contest between bat and ball will remain and the more diversity in cricket the more the sport will move from strength to strength. We are stronger together after all. The spirit of cricket will remain in the game for as long as we encourage our cricketers to be authentic and genuine in how they play the game. We all have the chance to be a role model no matter at which level we play the game so make sure when people think of a good person they think of you. Play hard but fair and enjoy the time in the clubhouse after the game.