Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are about to make their ninth consecutive appearance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, as New Zealand today revealed their squad of 15 for next month’s event in UAE. The two have been part of all editions of the women’s event since it began in 2009.
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Devine, who will step down from her T20 captaincy after this tournament, is expected to lead the team. She hopes to raise the trophy that has dodged them since they were second best in both 2009 and 2010—the first two editions of the event.
“It has been such an important vehicle for developing and growing women’s cricket; it is a true honor to have played in it since its inception,” said Devine.
“I am excited for another chance to compete against the best teams in the world that also want this trophy,” she caught in.
Pace-bowler Rosemary Mair is back in the fold after recovering from a back injury sustained during the England home series that ruled her out of their return tour in June-July. The other members of the pace department are Jess Kerr, Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold.
To strengthen spin bowling department, off-spinner Leigh Kasperek will play her fourth T20 World Cup along with fellow spinners Melie Kerr, Fran Jonas and Eden Carson
The only squad member without ICC Women’s T20 World Cup experience is wicketkeeper batter Izzy Gaze.
Ben Sawyer, head coach said that being included in a World Cup squad is something special.
He said, “Congratulations to all players named for this squad; it’s an important step to get chosen as your country’s representative at one of the biggest tournaments on earth”. “I am delighted with this squad – I believe these are our best 15 players who have the ability to adjust themselves under various conditions”.
Sawyer stated that Devine and Bates’ extensive tournament background would be beneficial. “Soph and Suze possess numerous tournament experiences of World Cup and franchise leagues.” Therefore, we are definitely relying on this information in order to win such an enormous tournament.”
“He added: ‘In recent months Rosemary has had a bad injury streak, and she has put in so much effort to get herself fit for this tournament. She has shown us she’s one of our main options when it comes to pace bowling, and we’re thrilled that she is back.’”
New Zealand is in Group A along with Australia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Ahead of their first group match against India on October 4th, they will play two warm-up matches with South Africa and England.
On September 16th, the squad will go to Mackay and Brisbane where they would face Australia in three T20I matches before heading off to World Cup T20 series.
New Zealand squad: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
