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White Ferns welcome back New Zealand’s top strike bowler with central contract
Brayden Harrison • June 21st, 2023 10:33 am
The White Ferns have announced new contracts after players made their mark during the New Zealand domestic cricket season with younger players being backed by White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer.
The contract announcement comes ahead of the White Ferns upcoming tour of Sri Lanka with the first ODI being played on June 27.
Canterbury Magicians bowler Lea Tahuhu and Northern Districts wicketkeeper batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout are set to return to the White Ferns contract list for the 2023/24 season after missing out last year.
Sawyer says the new and returning contract offers were just reward for players’ strong performances over the past twelve months.
“Lea has been an important figure in our group over the last 12 months and has taken her game to a new level while also bringing strong leadership and helping with the development of our less experienced White Ferns,” says Sawyer.
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine and Otago Sparks batter Suzie Bates, add experience to the contract list which features many young talents.
“This is a really exciting time for all our contracted players, especially for those returning to the list and receiving a contract for the first time,” says Sawyer.
Kate Anderson has been offered her first contract with the White Ferns after her impressive performances for the Canterbury Magicians. She managed a record-breaking 536 runs which included scoring 95 runs off 62 balls in the Women’s Super Smash final.
“Kate has been dominant in both formats, but especially in the T20 game having broken Suzie Bates’ Super Smash run-scoring record, which shows the power and ability she possesses.”
Aucklanders Izzy Gaze, Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold have all retained their contracts after being added to the list last season.
Wellington Blaze youngster Georgia Plimmer was a standout at this year’s U19 Women’s Cricket World Cup as she was named in the team of the tournament. She finished as the highest run-scorer for New Zealand with 155 runs with an average of 51.66.
New Zealand Cricket Head of Female High Performance Liz Green says she has confidence in the contracted players.
“We’re pleased with the competitive high performance structures we’ve integrated in the women’s space and believe that they will enable future success on the world stage, which starts with the next pinnacle event - the one-day World Cup in Bangladesh next year.
“We’re also confident that the structures set us up well to nurture the next generation of White Ferns,” Green added.
Auckland batter Lauren Down was offered a central contract for the 2023-24 season but has opted not to take up an agreement this season due to family reasons.
On the injury front, contracted players Kate Anderson and Hayley Jensen will be unavailable for this month’s tour to Sri Lanka due to their respective finger and knee injuries.
NZ Cricket confirmed on Monday that Jess Kerr's broken toe will rule her out of contention and will be replaced by Wellington Blaze teammate Leigh Kasperek in Sri Lanka.
__White Ferns central contract offers for 2023/24: __
Kate Anderson, Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
