Even after 16 years, Suzie Bates is still having firsts in her already illustrious cricket career.
"I sort of can't believe how it's panned out," she told Newshub from the White Ferns camp at Tauranga.
As part of a 15-strong squad, the veteran batter has been confirmed for cricket's return to the Commonwealth Games - 14 years on from her Olympic debut in basketball.
"Everywhere I looked, there were famous athletes I'd watched on TV," she recalled. "There was just this pinch-myself moment, whereas now, I feel it's more about the cricket.
"That stuff's really cool and I want to make sure the girls really embrace the event, but when it comes to playing and training time that we’re completely focussed on that.
"For 18-year-old Suzie, it was a dream come true. Playing basketball at the Olympics, watching the Dream Team live, that was one of my highlights, and now to play cricket and to see women's cricket on the global stage."
Bates sees Birmingham as a welcome distraction - a new focus point, after the emotional wave she rode, when the side bombed out of this year's World Cup. She concedes to letting her emotions flow and crying, after they were unable to do the job on home soil.
"You've got to feel all of that and let yourself feel it, as long as it doesn't carry on for too long and you can move on," she reflected.
Moving on is exactly what Bates thought she'd be doing after the Games, but the 34-year-old's had a change of heart.
"I just absolutely love it still," she said. "The body's going OK and where the global game's going is really exciting.
"It's probably going to take someone to tap me on the shoulder and tell me to let it go - otherwise, I'm just happy doing what I'm doing."
The pulling of stumps will have to wait.
