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The White Ferns have named their 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will start later this month in the United Arab Emirates.
Those selected in the squad have regularly featured across the format for their country since the last edition in 2023. Captain Sophie Devine and batter Suzie Bates are both set to play in their ninth T20 World Cup having played since the first edition back in 2009.
Devine has stated that she is “really looking forward to another opportunity to compete against world-class teams” and that “T20 World Cup’s [have] been an important vehicle in the development and growth of the women’s game.”
Three changes have been made to the squad which competed in South Africa with Bernadine Bezuidenhout (retired), Hayley Jensen, and Lauren Down not featuring in this year’s edition whilst Leigh Kasperek, Izzy Gaze, and Rosemary Mair are all included this time around.
Rosemary Mair returns to the squad following her back injury that she suffered during England’s tour to New Zealand earlier this year. Leigh Kasperek has been included with her ability to offer spin and also a lower-order batter.
Izzy Gaze is the only player in the squad who has never appeared at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and will get the chance to be the player to take the gloves in the side.
Amelia Kerr, Eden Carson, and Fran Jonas will all be involved in leading the spin bowling options as the White Ferns look to hunt for a potential way out of a tough group with Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, and Australia all in New Zealand’s group.
Middle-order batters Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday will be key for New Zealand throughout the group stage games with a need for them to put on some stability if the side struggles, or to provide some crucial runs at the end of an innings.
Five pace bowlers have been able to make their way into the side, and they all bring great experience with Lea Tahuhu, Molly Penfold, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, and Mair being the chosen four.
Georgia Plimmer has likely been selected as a potential player who will float around the squad having opened and also batted in the middle to lower order for the White Ferns in her international career.
Head coach Ben Sawyer will be assisted by Dean Brownlie, Craig McMillan, and Paul Wieseman.
The squad first heads to Australia for three T20Is to be played in Mackay and Brisbane.
White Ferns ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Squad
Sophie Devine (C)
Suzie Bates
Eden Carson
Izzy Gaze
Maddy Green
Brooke Halliday
Fran Jonas
Leigh Kasperek
Jess Kerr
Melie Kerr
Rosemary Mair
Molly Penfold
Georgia Plimmer
Hannah Rowe
Lea Tahuhu
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