Source: Radio New Zealand
Suzie Bates (R) and Sophie Devine (L) of New Zealand celebrate their win over Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup in UAE. PHOTOSPORT
Former captain Sophie Devine along with veteran batter Suzie Bates return to the White Ferns squad for this month’s T20 series against South Africa.
Devine, Bates, Georgia Plimmer and Flora Devonshire were all unavailable for the current series against Zimbabwe which finishes on Wednesday.
Bates has recovered from a quad injury, Devonshire a broken finger and Plimmer a shoulder injury.
The five match series, which includes double headers with the Black Caps and Proteas, starts in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
Devine is set to make her return to the side for the first time since the World Cup in India in October, as the White Ferns continue their preparation to defend their title at the T20 World Cup in England later this year.
New Zealand is ranked fourth in T20 cricket with South Africa fifth.
Head Coach Ben Sawyer said the injection of Bates and Devine’s experience could only do good things for the team.
“Their quality on the field really does speak for itself but what they bring to the group culturally is really important for us as a team. I’m looking forward to having them mix in with some of the newer members of the squad.”
New Zealand’s Georgia Plimmer bats DJ Mills / PHOTOSPORT
Sawyer expressed his excitement at having Plimmer available again.
“Her role at the top of the order is a key one and it’ll be great to have her back as we continue to build toward that World Cup later in the year.”
The squad features 15 players, with Auckland Hearts’ Bree Illing and Otago Sparks’ Polly Inglis making way for Devonshire and Canterbury Magicians’ Lea Tahuhu after the first two T20Is.
White Ferns T20 Squad v South Africa
Melie Kerr (C) – Wellington Blaze
Suzie Bates – Otago Sparks
Sophie Devine – Wellington Blaze
Flora Devonshire** – Central Hinds
Izzy Gaze – Auckland Hearts
Maddy Green – Auckland Hearts
Brooke Halliday – Auckland Hearts
Bree Illing* – Auckland Hearts
Polly Inglis* – Otago Sparks
Jess Kerr – Wellington Blaze
Rosemary Mair – Central Hinds
Nensi Patel – Northern Brave
Georgia Plimmer – Wellington Blaze
Izzy Sharp – Canterbury Magicians
Lea Tahuhu** – Canterbury Magicians
*first two T20s only
**last three T20s only
Schedule
Sunday 15 March, 1st T20I’s, Bay Oval
Tuesday 17 March, 2nd T20I’s, Seddon Park
Friday 20 March, 3rd T20I’s,Eden Park
Sunday 22 March, 4th T20I’s, Hnry Stadium (Wgtn)
Wednesday 25 March, 5th T20I’s, Hagley Oval
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
