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Champions Day Bonus Bets giveawayWhite Ferns linchpin Melie Kerr ruled out of series against Sri Lanka
Sport Nation • February 25th, 2025 5:00 am
Melie Kerr with her White Ferns teammates I Photo: Photosport
The White Ferns will be without Melie Kerrr for their ODI and T20 series against Sri Lanka next month.
The reigning ICC cricketer of the year is unavailable due to her Women’s Premier League commitments with the Mumbai Indians, as the revised tournament dates coincided with the series.
Veteran batter Suzie Bates will take up the captaincy in the absence of incumbent Sophie Devine, who is also unavailable on a mental well-being break.
The team will also be without striker bowler Lea Tahuhu due to a hamstring injury, while Rosemary Mair won't feature until the T20 portion of the tour, as she nurses an elbow injury.
In more positive health news, Georgia Plimmer also provides a huge boost in her return from injury, having recovered from the hip injury which has kept her out of action since November.
The squad includes four new faces in 18-year-old Central Hinds allrounder Emma McLeod, Canterbury Magicians batter Izzy Sharp (20), and Auckland Hearts seamer Bree Illing (21), who have all earned their maiden call up.
Melie Kerr shares a special moment with dad after winning ICC cricketer of the year I Sport Nation
Hayley Jensen makes her first appearance in the squad since 2023 on the back of a successful domestic season as one with the Otago Sparks.
Coach Ben Sawyer stressed the importance of utilising the series to gain experience against spin with an eye to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India.
"Sri Lanka’s a tough opposition with a number of world-class spinners," said Sawyer.
"Facing their spin unit is always a challenge but it will be great prep for us ahead of the World Cup.
"We will try different combinations this series, and I’m looking forward to seeing players adapt to different roles.
"It’s an opportunity to test batters in different positions, and try different bowlers opening up and at the death."
The series begins with the opening ODI at Napier's McLean Park on March 4.
White Ferns squad vs Sri Lanka:
Suzie Bate
Eden Carson
Izzy Gaze
Maddy Green
Brooke Halliday
Bree Illing – ODI only
Polly Inglis - ODI only
Bella James
Hayley Jensen
Fran Jonas – T20I only
Jess Kerr
Rosemary Mair – T20I only
Emma McLeod*
Georgia Plimmer
Hannah Rowe – ODI only
Izzy Sharp – T20I only
Eden Carson
Izzy Gaze
Maddy Green
Brooke Halliday
Bree Illing – ODI only
Polly Inglis - ODI only
Bella James
Hayley Jensen
Fran Jonas – T20I only
Jess Kerr
Rosemary Mair – T20I only
Emma McLeod*
Georgia Plimmer
Hannah Rowe – ODI only
Izzy Sharp – T20I only
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