Bates, Devine and Tahuhu Absent as New Faces Earn Call-Up for Zimbabwe Series
New Zealand will be without several senior players for their upcoming white-ball home series against Zimbabwe, with uncapped duo Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight earning call-ups for the first-ever women’s international series between the two nations.
The tour, which begins later this month, comprises three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals. The ODIs will count towards the ICC Women’s Championship. It will also mark the first assignment for Amelia Kerr as New Zealand captain.
Senior Trio Unavailable
Experienced allrounder Suzie Bates (quadricep injury) and offspinner Eden Carson (elbow injury) were not considered for selection due to fitness concerns.
Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu was ruled out of the T20Is as part of “physical preparation planning” ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup in June.
Former captain Sophie Devine, who is currently on a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, was unavailable for the series.
Patel, Knight Earn Maiden Call-Ups
The 23-year-old Patel, an offspinning allrounder, returns to the national setup after previously holding a central contract during the 2022–23 season. She has represented New Zealand A and enjoyed a strong domestic campaign with Northern Brave, finishing as the team’s leading run-scorer and joint second-highest wicket-taker in the Super Smash.
Knight, 22, is a right-arm quick who featured for New Zealand at the Under-19 T20 World Cup. She claimed 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.16 during the Super Smash season. Knight has been selected for the T20Is only.
Molly Penfold will replace Knight in the ODI squad, joining fellow seamers Bree Illing, Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair to form a four-pronged pace attack. Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis has been named for the T20Is only, while Penfold and Emma McLeod will feature exclusively in the ODIs.
Kerr’s First Series as Captain
All six matches will be played on home soil, with the three T20Is beginning on February 25 in Hamilton. The ODI leg starts on March 5 in Dunedin.
The series will be the first under the captaincy of Amelia Kerr, ushering in a new era for the White Ferns as they balance youth and experience in preparation for a busy international calendar.
New Zealand Women’s Squad for Zimbabwe Series
T20Is:
Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr (captain), Kayley Knight, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp
ODIs:
Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr (captain), Emma McLeod, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp