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New Zealand have named their squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to be played in October in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 15-member side will be led by Sophie Devine, which will be her last appearance as captain of the White Ferns in the shortest format of the game.
Notably, it will be Devine and former captain Suzie Bates’ ninth appearance for New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup since having featured in the very first edition of the tournament in 2009 in England. Apart from the two experienced players, the side have also included pacer Rosemary Mair and off-spinner Leigh Kasperek. While Mair will be making her return after recovering from a back injury she sustained during New Zealand’s T20I series against England in March earlier this year, Kasperek also finds a place after she marked her return in the England tour after a year-long wait.
They are the best 15 players: White Ferns Head Coach Ben Sawyer
Speaking after the squad announcement, which was done in a unique fashion with kids naming the players to feature in the ninth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Head Coach Ben Sawyer also hailed the side to be the "best 15-member squad". “I’m really pleased with this squad, I think these are our best 15 players to adapt to what will likely be varied conditions,” Sawyer said.
Highlighting on the inclusion of players, Sawyer added, “Soph and Suze have huge amount of tournament experience from World Cups to franchise leagues, so we’ll certainly be leaning on that knowledge in what’s going to be a pretty intense competition. Rosemary had an unfortunate run with injury over the past few months and she’s worked hard to be fit for this tournament.”
Speaking of the New Zealand Women, the side has been placed in Group A, alongside defending champions, Australia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Sophie Devine-led side will kickstart their campaign on October 4 in Dubai against India, followed by matches setup against Australia (October 8), Sri Lanka (October 12), and Pakistan (October 14). Ahead of the tournament, the White Ferns will take on South Africa and England in the two warm-up fixtures.
New Zealand squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Sophie Devine (C), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
Sophie Devine to step down as New Zealand Women’s T20I captain
Veteran New Zealand cricketer, Sophie Devine on Friday, August 30th announced that she will step down as the T20I skipper after the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in October in the UAE. The 34-year-old all-rounder, who has led the White Ferns in 56 T20Is, while announcing her decision also confirmed that she will focus on playing and nurturing future leaders.
“I'm very proud to have had the privilege to captain the White Ferns in both formats. With captaincy comes an additional workload that, while I’ve enjoyed taking on, can also be challenging at times. Stepping away from the T20 captaincy will take a bit off my plate so I can focus more of my energy on my playing role and nurturing the future leaders,” Devine said in a statement.
