Experienced duo set to create history as New Zealand reveal squad for T20 World Cup
Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are set to appear at a record ninth straight ICC Women's T20 World Cup as New Zealand announced their playing group for next month's event.
Sophie Devine will lead a strong White Ferns squad at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024.
In what would be her ninth straight appearance at the Women's T20 World Cup, Devine will hope to lift the trophy that has eluded the side since they finished runners up in 2009 and 2010, the first two editions of the tournament.
The squad boasts tons of experience with Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu, Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green in the mix. Both Devine and Bates have appeared at every edition of the Women's T20 World Cup.
Jess Kerr is vital to New Zealand's chances of progressing to the knockout stages at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Rosemary Mair, who had missed the tour of England in July with a back injury, returns to add more flair to the pace attack.
Jess Kerr, Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold are the others in the pace department.
Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr and Fran Jonas add good variety to the spin attack for UAE conditions.
Best of Suzie Bates for New Zealand at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer believes his squad has an excellent mix of experience and youth and is well placed to perform well at the T20 World Cup.
“Congratulations to all of the players named in this squad, it’s a significant achievement to be selected to represent your country at a World Cup,” Sawyer said.
“I’m really pleased with this squad, I think these are our best 15 players to adapt to what will likely be varied conditions.”
Sawyer said it was a tremendous effort for Devine and Bates to win selection yet again and thinks the duo will lead from the front.
“Soph and Suze have a huge amount of tournament experience from World Cups to franchise leagues, so we’ll certainly be leaning on that knowledge in what’s going to be a pretty intense competition," he added.
New Zealand are in Group A alongside Australia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Women's T20 World Cup that commences in October.
They play warm-up games against South Africa and England ahead of the main tournament.
New Zealand squad: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu