An open letter to my new squad mates

My one-day debut for Australia was a blur.

It was at Adelaide Oval against New Zealand, I think. I don't remember too many details, but I do remember thoroughly enjoying myself. I got to come in late in the innings, have a whack and I enjoyed myself behind the stumps.

I can't say the same for my T20 debut. That was also against New Zealand and it was absolute chaos. I dropped the first ball of the game and got out on the last ball when we needed three runs to win. So as far as my debuts go, it was topsy turvy.

But they both went very quickly, which was a shame.

I've got a terrible memory and I'm not overly sentimental, so when I finish my career and I look back, I won't remember much about my debut which is a bit disappointing.

Which brings me to my advice for you two – just enjoy the moment! Embrace it and enjoy it. And on a serious note, actually be ready to go. I've got a flippant nature and I went out there and thought I could do what I normally do. You should be ready to go, be hungry and get into the game.

When I came in, it was weird timing for me – it was a surprise selection in that it was last minute, both times due to injury. I took it in my stride and went out and did what I've always done. But you girls have well and truly earned your spot and I've no doubt when you walk out there, you can back your skills 100 per cent and get the job done, which is really cool.

But first some housekeeping.

Everyone is pretty chilled in our team. But when you come into the dressing room, the best piece of advice I can give you is to just stay away from the corners. Far away. They're Meg Lanning's and if she's not in there first, just leave them clear for her. Meg is without doubt the messiest person in the team and she needs the most space out of everyone.

There are a few cool people to sit next to in the changeroom, and you can sit back and watch how they go about their cricket.

If you plonk yourself down next to Elyse Villani, she's always a good one. Junior will get you primed for the game and then after the game she'll be right behind you if you need a pick-me-up or a pat on the back. She's really good for that.

But if you want to learn the most about the game, sit next to Ellyse Perry and watch the way she goes about it, her superstitions and everything like that.

It's an interesting team in that regard and everyone is chilled out, which is cool. No one's going to get grumpy if you sit somewhere in particular.

I can't say the same for the team bus.

Everyone has their own seat on the bus. We often have a coach, it's a huge coach with not a lot of people on it. So you're pretty safe if you stick to the middle of the bus, as the coaching staff seem to sit at the front and everyone else seems to sit at the back with their own little seats.

I'm at the back, a back-seat bandit with Ellyse Perry. We've maintained that position over many years – we sat there with Lisa Sthalekar when she was playing, it was always the three of us at the back. That's been happening for a long time … so don't sit at the back! Well, you're more than welcome at the back, but I'll be sprawled over the back seat somewhere.

All in all, just really enjoy where the game is at the moment. I've been part of it for a little while now and seen the changes that have been made over the last eight years, so to be coming into this professional environment now I think is really special. You're part of the next generation who'll be moving the game forward.

To potentially debut at North Sydney, Allan Border Field in Brisbane or Manuka Oval in Canberra in front of a heap of people, I think is a really cool experience. So remember – enjoy every moment and embrace the challenge.

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

September 29: First T20I, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

New Zealand squad: Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Watkin