Maniototo farm girl Eden Carson has had a busy time of late, she’s turned 21, got a White Ferns contract, been to the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, returned with a bronze medal, and coped with a Covid-19 infection.

At camp in Lincoln until Friday (September 2), the right arm spin bowler is training with the team, preparing for an upcoming tour of the West Indies. 

The team has not been named yet for this Carribean trip but Eden’s got her fingers crossed. 

She still can’t quite believe the past couple of months she’s had.

“Birmingham was cool, a really good experience,” she said.

Her bronze is currently in a suitcase, but going home to her Mum and Dad's place in the Maniototo for safekeeping.

August 7 will be firmly etched in her memory; the team won bronze and after the medal  ceremony the entire team stayed up until midnight to celebrate her 21st birthday.

“We had a few drinks to celebrate… a few of us went to a club after… it was a big night.”

Playing in a team with her cricketing idols is “amazing” and she’s got to this point sooner in her career than she thought she would.

“Being able to play alongside Suzie and Sophie is really special.”

As a youngster Eden was coached by Suzie Bates in Otago representative teams, so the pair are close friends. 

Hugs all around for Eden’s T20 debut; the first game for the kiwi women in the Commonwealth Games against South Africa on July 30.  PHOTO: Supplied

Eden is studying vet nursing through the Otago Polytech, which has allowed her to extend her finishing date to early next year, to pursue cricketing opportunities.

“I still want to finish my study…I’ve got one paper assessment and clinical hours to go. I’m on top of it for the moment,” she said.

Once her studies are completed cricket will be her “main focus”.

Eden is excited to return to Central and to the farm and her whānau this weekend.

Reunions are planned with those she hasn’t seen yet; dad Tony, grandparents, and her favourite cow. 

Home is where the heart is: A photo from Eden’s instagram of Gimmerburn’s scenery and cattle. PHOTO: Eden Carson  

After a visit to Central she’ll head back to her other base, her student flat in Dunedin where normal student life will resume.  

The upcoming West Indies tour is made up of three one day internationals (ODIs) and five T20 matches over a three week period from September 16. 

The White Ferns home series this December is against Bangladesh with three T20 and three ODI games at various locations across Aotearoa; Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown, Hamilton and Napier.

The Central App wishes Eden a huge congratulations on her medal and will continue to update readers on her cricketing achievements. 

The start of her sporting dream: Eden at the White Ferns Commonwealth Games team naming with New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White. PHOTO: Supplied