By Barbara Daniels Former England women's cricketer

The ability to produce disconcerting lift is a valuable weapon for any new ball bowler.

At 6ft, Rachel Pullar is one of the tallest bowlers in women's cricket and she isn't scared of getting the ball into the batsman's ribs.

Although not possessing the express pace of Australia's Cathryn Fitzpatrick, she is New Zealand's most potent weapon.

Off the pitch she is modest and unassuming and as one of the more experienced players in the Kiwi team, wears her responsibility lightly.

Pullar's accuracy makes her difficult to score off

Spearheading the attack since the retirement of Katrina Keenan, she acknowledges the lessons she has learned.

"It was great to be able to bowl with someone as experienced as Katrina and I definitely learned a lot, but it's great to be able to bowl with the wind.

"I am now quite experienced and there are younger players in the team but I don't feel that as a pressure - it's been a pretty natural transition," she said.

Half century

Pullar went into the Tri-Series against England and India, having taken 52 one-day wickets since her international debut in November 1997 and began with figures of five for 10 as India were bowled out for just 26 in Jersey.

She is enjoying the opportunity of playing against teams other than Australia.

Pullar said: "Australia are definitely the benchmark and still the team to beat. We measure ourselves against them every year in the Rosebowl competition so it's nice to play against other teams."

Rolton: The most prized wicket in women's cricket

It is no surprise that the batsman she finds most challenging to bowl against is Karen Rolton, the most explosive bat in women's cricket.

"I enjoy the challenge of bowling to her and I know I've had a good day if I've managed to contain her."

While she has great respect for previous New Zealand stars such as Debbie Hockley, she hasn't modelled her approach to the game or her bowling on anyone in particular.

"I have learned a lot from many different players but have always wanted to be myself and play my own game."

And that approach has certainly been successful.

At only 25, she has already collected a World Cup winner's medal at home in 2000 and feels the current team could mount a very strong defence of that title in three years time.

"We are trying out some new young players and they are gaining experience all the time. Although we've lost some key players through retirement, we have a good spirit and we're evolving and developing naturally."

England and India have certainly found Pullar difficult to play.

She comes off a deceptively short run but she hits the pitch and the bat hard and gets movement early on with the white ball.

A Sports and Marketing Lecturer in her professional life, she is certainly a worthy ambassador for her sport and definitely one to watch in the women's game.