New Zealand XI Squad named to play Pakistan

The New Zealand XI squad has been named to play Pakistan in two warm-up fixtures being played next week.

Leigh Kasperek will lead the side and will be assisted by fellow White Ferns Izzy Gaze, Bella Armstrong, Rosemary Mair and Georgia Plimmer.

Leigh Kasperek bowls during the HBJ fixture between Wellington and Otago. Credit: NZC

Kayley Knight is also included, after representing Aotearoa at the U19 Cricket World Cup earlier this year.

After a strong performance across the HBJ Shield and Dream 11 Super Smash last summer, Gabby Sullivan has been selected in the side. Sullivan took 21 wickets in each competition and was awarded the Phyl Blackler Cup for Women’s Domestic Bowling at the 2023 NZ Cricket Awards.

Gabby Sullivan bowls to Ocean Bartlett during the HBJ fixture between CD and Canterbury. Credit: NZC

Central Hinds youngsters Ocean Bartlett and Flora Devonshire have both been selected following their performances for the Hinds in the spin bowling department over the last season. They will be assisted by Nensi Patel who was a contracted player in the 2022/23 season but is yet to debut for the senior side.

There has been a clear selection of youth across the squad, with coach Sara McGlashan stating that:

“These matches are a really important step in our pathway and give us a unique opportunity to involve players who are on the radar from a long-term succession point of view.”

Top-order batters, Olivia Gain, Bella James and Abby Gerken have all earned selection alongside pace bowler, Kayley Knight.

Throughout the squad it is clear that players have been chosen for their performances in the domestic scene and McGlashan highlighted this:

“Off the back of both the New Zealand Development tour and the ICC U19 World Cup a lot of those players went on to make their domestic debuts and performed really well.

“So it’s pleasing from a coaching point of view to be able to reward those performances and see these players given more chances to challenge themselves and shine again.”

The warm-up fixtures consist of one 50-over match and one T20 with both being played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

New Zealand XI squad

Leigh Kasperek (c)

Bella Armstrong

Ocean Bartlett Flora Devonshire Olivia Gain Izzy Gaze Abby Gerken Bella James Kayley Knight Rosemary Mair Nensi Patel Georgia Plimmer Gabby Sullivan