Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu Rejoin New Zealand for Australia T20Is
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Synopsis
Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu make their return to the New Zealand squad for the T20I series against Australia. The series starts on March 21, with Suzie Bates continuing as interim captain.
Key Takeaways
- Sophie Devine returns after a wellness hiatus.
- Amelia Kerr comes back from the WPL.
- Lea Tahuhu reenters after recovering from injury.
- New Zealand faces Australia in a three-match T20I series.
- Coach Ben Sawyer highlights the importance of experienced players.
Auckland, March 18 (NationPress) Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu are poised to rejoin the New Zealand squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, commencing on March 21.
In the meantime, Suzie Bates will persist as the interim captain after the 1-1 series draw against Sri Lanka, which concluded earlier on Tuesday.
The T20 World Cup champions are set to face their Trans-Tasman rivals in three T20Is across Auckland, Tauranga, and Wellington, kicking off on Friday at Eden Park.
Devine is returning after a wellness break that excluded her from the Super Smash, Women’s Premier League (WPL), and the home series against Sri Lanka.
ICC’s Women’s Cricketer of the Year, Melie Kerr, is back from the WPL after securing her second title with the Mumbai Indians. Kerr’s last T20I appearance for New Zealand featured a Player of the Match performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, where she scored 43 off 38 and took three wickets for 24 runs, leading the team to a 32-run victory.
New Zealand’s pace attack welcomes back senior bowler Lea Tahuhu, who has recovered from hamstring injuries that have kept her out of international cricket since December.
Batter Bella James also makes her return after a quadricep strain sidelined her from the recent ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. James, who is uncapped in T20Is, passed fitness tests on Monday and is set to travel with the team to Auckland.
Wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze, who missed the T20I series against Sri Lanka due to a hip flexor sprain sustained during the 3rd ODI, will not participate in this series as she needs additional rehabilitation before resuming play.
Polly Inglis, who made her international debut in both white-ball formats this month, will take Gaze's place.
The rest of the squad remains largely unchanged from the team that drew the T20I series against Sri Lanka, with Emma McLeod, Izzy Sharp, Flora Devonshire, and Bree Illing making way for the returns of Devine, Kerr, James, and Tahuhu.
White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer expressed his satisfaction with the return of three senior players.
“We’re thrilled to have Soph, Melie, and Lea back for this series. They are three pivotal players who contribute significant experience and leadership to the group,” said Sawyer.
He mentioned that Devine felt prepared to return to cricket. “Soph’s had some time away from the game and is now eager to get back on the field. Everyone knows the power she possesses and what an asset she is to any team, so we’re really delighted to have her back for what promises to be a competitive series.”
Devine shared her excitement about rejoining the team. “It’s refreshing to have had time to reset and refocus, and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there with the girls.”
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.
