Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu have been included in the New Zealand team to compete against Australia in a three-match T20 International series starting on March 21st. Suzie Bates will remain the captain after leading the team to a 1-1 series draw against Sri Lanka. Isabella Gaze is still unavailable due to a hip injury.
Devine, aged 35, is returning to cricket after taking a break from both international and domestic games in January to focus on her well-being. This break caused her to miss the Dream11 Super Smash, the Women’s Premier League, and the recent series against Sri Lanka.
Kerr, a member of the Mumbai Indians’ championship-winning team in the WPL, is set to play for New Zealand for the first time since the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Dubai last year. Tahuhu, another experienced player returning, has recovered from hamstring injuries that have kept her out of action since December.
Bella James and Polly Inglis have also been called up to the squad. Emma McLeod, Izzy Sharp, Flora Devonshire, and Bree Illing have been dropped to make space for these players.
New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed his excitement about the return of the experienced trio, stating he was ‘stoked’ to have them back and praised Devine as ‘an asset for any team’.
‘We’re thrilled to have Sophie, Melie, and Lea back for this series. They are crucial players who bring significant experience and leadership to the team.’
‘Sophie has had some time away from the game and is now eager to return to the field. Everyone recognizes her power and value to any team, so we are delighted to have her back for what we anticipate will be a highly competitive series.’
The three T20I matches will be played as part of a double-header, with the women’s games in the daytime and the New Zealand men’s team continuing their five-match T20I series against Pakistan in the evening. New Zealand’s men’s team currently leads that series 2-0.
The matches will be held in Auckland, Tauranga, and Wellington.
Squad: Suzie Bates (C), Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu
