TOP STORIES
New faces included as New Zealand confirm women's central contracts for 2026-27
New Zealand Cricket has announced a 17-player women's central contract list for the 2026-27 season, with the trio of Flora Devonshire, Nensi Patel, and Izzy Sharp being included in the list. Devonshire and Sharp have earned their contracts after spending the past year in the Central Players of Interest programme, which is an initiative designed to fast-track the growth of promising cricketers.
The inclusion of these three newcomers comes as several experienced names are set to step away from the contracted roster. Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, and Lea Tahuhu are no longer part of the central contract list. Lauren Down has already brought her international career to a close, while Bates and Tahuhu are likely to retire from international cricket following the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, veteran all-rounder Sophie Devine, who operated under a casual playing agreement during the previous season, is also absent from the latest contract announcements. Amidst the changes, New Zealand have retained a strong group of experienced performers. Captain Melie Kerr leads the group that includes key players such as Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, and Georgia Plimmer.
"Flora's a clean striker with lots of power. Being left-handed she offers a point of difference as she's able to hit to different areas of the field, and there's the added bonus of her left-arm orthodox bowling," New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said as quoted in the NZC release.
"Nensi's consistently accurate with the ball, and she has great control over her length and pace.
"Izzy's batting has been building from strength to strength. She possesses similar qualities to Sophie and with Soph stepping away from international cricket soon, it's really exciting to bring someone with Izzy's power onto a central contract so we can keep working with her to develop those skills."
New Zealand central contract: Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold,Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp
Tags
More News
Suresh Raina urges India to find backup for Pandya ahead of World Cup 2027
Former India batter Suresh Raina has urged the team management to focus on building a reliable backup for star all-rounder Hardik Pandya as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Considering Pandya’s immense value to the side, Raina stressed that India cannot afford to overlook the recurring fitness concerns that have interrupted the all-rounder’s career on se...
ODI World Cup 2027 to begin on October 4
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provisionally confirmed the dates for next year's ODI World Cup, scheduled to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, the blockbuster tournament will be played between October 4 and November 21. The dates were confirmed during the ICC board meeting in Ahmedabad in May. However, the final...
"Being the host nation...": England embrace home World Cup challenge
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt believes her side is fully prepared to handle the intensity and expectations that come with hosting a World Cup as they get ready to launch their campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday. Sciver-Brunt feels that the pressure of competing in a global event at home is an opportunity rather than a burden.
"There...
Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed called up for Australia T20Is
Bangladesh have revealed squads for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia and a one-off Test against Zimbabwe, with Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana being called back by the management for the Australia T20Is. Both players return after missing the team's last T20I series against New Zealand, for which they had been ...
Ben Stokes urged not to make emotional retirement call
Following the nightclub incident, England captain Ben Stokes and pacer Gus Atkinson paid a hefty price, with the duo being stood down from England's squad for the second Test against New Zealand, starting on June 17. In Stokes' absence, England stalwart Joe Root was handed the reins to lead the side. England had a perfect start to the series, registering a comf...
Android App
iOS App
YouTube
Instagram
Twitter