Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu have returned to New Zealand’s squad for the T20I series against Australia, which will conclude the 2024-25 home summer. Bella James also returns, while Suzie Bates continues as captain. Izzy Gaze misses out due to injury, with Polly Inglis replacing her.
Devine had taken a well-being break last month, missing the Super Smash, the Women’s Premier League (WPL), and the home series against Sri Lanka. “It’s nice to have had some time to reset and refocus, and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there with the girls,” Devine said.
Amelia Kerr returns after being part of Mumbai Indians’ successful WPL campaign, where she took 18 wickets and claimed the Purple Cap. Tahuhu, who sustained a grade-two hamstring tear in December, has also recovered in time for this series.
James missed the Sri Lanka series due to a quadriceps strain but cleared her fitness tests and will travel to Auckland with the team. She is yet to make her T20I debut.
“We’re thrilled to have Soph, Melie, and Lea back for this series,” said head coach Ben Sawyer. “They bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the group.”
Gaze couldn’t recover from a hip-flexor sprain that sidelined her from the Sri Lanka series. Inglis, her replacement, played all six games against Sri Lanka, making her ODI and T20I debuts but batted only once in the three T20Is.
Emma McLeod, Izzy Sharp, Flora Devonshire, and Bree Illing make way for Devine, Amelia, and Tahuhu’s returns. Auckland, Mount Maunganui, and Wellington will host the three-match T20I series from March 21 to 26.
New Zealand squad: Suzie Bates (capt), Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu.
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