Wellington, Feb 15 (NationPress) New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr has been named the new captain of the New Zealand women’s cricket team across all formats. She succeeds Sophie Devine, who resigned after last year’s Women’s ODI World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka.

The 25-year-old, with a record of 172 international matches, will begin her leadership role in the upcoming series against Zimbabwe later this month. Although Amelia has previously captained the New Zealand team in a few matches, this marks her first full-time leadership position.

“Growing up, it was my childhood dream to represent New Zealand, and now to captain my country is a tremendous honor. I’m genuinely excited about the growth, talent, and dedication of this team and the heights we can reach together,” she stated.

“One of my favorite sayings is: ‘He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata.’ This means we are people first. As a unit, we support one another, celebrate each other’s achievements, and represent our community. Encouraging each other and fostering belief makes us all better individuals and cricketers.”

“I am stepping into the shoes of remarkable leaders who have captained the White Ferns before me, and I do not take this responsibility lightly. I hold immense love for this team and a strong passion for representing Aotearoa. The captaincy doesn’t change my identity; I remain the same person, committed to leading this group and aiming for success for our country,” Amelia expressed in a statement from New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

Under her leadership, New Zealand will embark on a crucial three-year journey, which includes defending their Women’s T20 World Cup in England later this year, participating in the ICC T20 Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next year, and the LA Olympics and T20 World Cup in 2028.

Since debuting for New Zealand at 16 in 2016, Amelia has scored 3,757 runs and taken 201 wickets across formats, ranking her third on the White Ferns’ all-time wicket-takers list and fourth among run-scorers. Her remarkable abilities were highlighted during the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup victory in the UAE, where she was named Player of the Tournament.

Her exceptional performance that year also earned her the coveted ICC Women’s Player of the Year award, making her the first New Zealander to win the prestigious Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy. Head coach Ben Sawyer emphasized that Kerr is an excellent choice for the role.

“Melie has been a vital part of the squad for many years and truly understands what it means to be a White Fern and represent New Zealand. She is an admirable leader, both on and off the field, earning respect from her teammates,” he commented.

“Her comprehensive understanding of the game and proven leadership from her captaincy of the White Ferns and her time leading the Wellington Blaze over the past three years positions her well. We believe that leading the White Ferns will elevate Melie’s game further and that she is ready to guide this team into the future.”

“Melie’s leadership at this point in her career guarantees continuity and stability as we look ahead to 2029. She embodies all the qualities of a strong leader at such a young age, and we are eager to support her in this development,” he added.

Liz Green, Head of Women’s High Performance Development at NZC, noted that Amelia’s passion for the team and her people-focused approach makes her an ideal fit for the leadership role. “Melie is incredibly passionate about representing New Zealand and serves as a great role model for the team and the fans of the White Ferns,” she said.

“It has been a privilege to witness Melie’s evolution from a player to the leader she is today. Her strong values and people-first approach align perfectly with our broader vision for the White Ferns and our future goals. We are excited to support her in her captaincy and look forward to seeing her leadership flourish.”

New Zealand’s squads for the T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe will be announced this Friday. The three-match T20I series kicks off at Seddon Park in Hamilton on February 25.