New Zealand ring the changes with new-look contracts list
Half a dozen new players make the 2022-2023 list of 17, include the already internationally-capped duo of Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold, plus 2022 World Cup squad member Georgia Plimmer. Nensi Patel, Eden Carson and Izzy Gaze were also offered contracts off the back of excellent domestic seasons.
After Katey Martin announced her retirement last week, and with Amy Satterthwaite following after she was told she would not receive a central contract, Lea Tahuhu, Frankie Mackay, Leigh Kasperek and Thamsyn Newton were also omitted from this year's list, in a monumental shift towards young players.
New Zealand Cricket General Manager of High Performance Bryan Stronach acknowledged that decisions were difficult and uncontracted players were still available for national team selection, though looked at the young group
“It’s never easy coming up with a final 17 players,” said Stronach.
“Having said that, we’re excited about the six new faces receiving contract offers, several of whom already have some White Ferns experience under their belt.
“To be in a position in which we’re genuinely considering the credentials of a wider pool of players can only be viewed as a positive for the women’s game.”
While the door may not be necessarily closed on the senior players omitted, Stronach admitted the listed group will likely carry the torch for New Zealand in the next year.
“They have given their all; have made great sacrifices, and retain our absolute respect,” he said.
“This is about having on contract the players we’re most likely to use during the next 12 month period.”
The White Ferns are two months out from their Birmingham 2022 campaign, the first Commonwealth Games to host a women's cricket event. The ICC Women's T20 World Cup is also to be played out in February next year, with the changes providing the best evidence that the side will bear little resemblance to the team that bowed out during their home 50-over campaign in late March.
Players offered New Zealand Cricket central contracts for 2022-2023: Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe