A strong New Zealand A squad featuring 11 players with WHITE FERNS experience will embark on a six-match tour to England later this month.
The tour, comprising three List A one-dayers followed by three T20s, is the return leg of a bilateral A series reintroduced to NZC’s women’s pathway last year.
The A programme aims to provide elevated playing opportunities to emerging WHITE FERNS and promising domestic talent.
WHITE FERNS opener Georgia Plimmer and wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze headline a strong batting unit featuring Northern Districts’ Player of the Year Jess Watkin; recent international debutants Otago Sparks’ Bella James and Polly Inglis, Central Hinds’ Emma McLeod, and Canterbury Magicians’ Izzy Sharp.
Northern Districts’ captain Watkin, features off the back of a memorable summer in which she produced significant performances with bat and ball, leading her side to the Dream11 Super Smash elimination final for the second year in a row.
Inglis, McLeod and Sharp made their WHITE FERNS debut during the home series against Sri Lanka in March, alongside Auckland Hearts’ left-arm seamer Bree Illing and Central Hinds’ allrounder, Flora Devonshire.
Twenty-one-year-old Illing burst onto the international scene taking an unbeaten two for 42 on debut during the first ODI against Sri Lanka, claiming the wicket of their captain Chamari Athapaththu in back-to-back matches.
WHITE FERNS Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold will lead the pace bowling unit alongside Otago Sparks’ Emma Black and Auckland Hearts’ Amie Hucker and Illing.
Following consistent performances over recent domestic seasons, in-swinger Black and Northern Districts’ allrounder Nensi Patel will again get the opportunity to test themselves at the next level, after both featuring in New Zealand A’s one day series victory over England A last March.
The spin contingent includes allrounders Patel, Watkin and Devonshire as well as Otago Sparks Rising Star award-recipient Anna Browning.
NZC Head of Women’s High Performance Liz Green said A tours provided invaluable learning opportunities.
“We’re really excited to be sending this group of talented players to England,” said Green.
“They’ll get the chance to further their game by facing a strong opponent in different conditions whilst getting a taste for what international touring is like.”
Green said A tours are a key component of growing depth.
“Generating elevated playing opportunities is key for building experience and depth.
“It’s also an opportunity for us to assess high potential players at the next level and test their readiness for international cricket.”
New Zealand A Squad
Emma Black (Otago Sparks)
Anna Browning (Otago Sparks)
Flora Devonshire (Central Hinds)
Izzy Gaze (Auckland Hearts)
Amie Hucker (Auckland Hearts)
Bree Illing (Auckland Hearts)
Polly Inglis (Otago Sparks)
Bella James (Otago Sparks)
Emma McLeod (Central Hinds)
Nensi Patel (Northern Districts)
Molly Penfold (Auckland Hearts)
Georgia Plimmer (Wellington Blaze)
Hannah Rowe (Central Hinds)
Izzy Sharp (Canterbury Magicians)
Jess Watkin (Northern Districts)
Canterbury men’s assistant coach Brendon Donkers will lead the New Zealand A coaching unit, with support from WHITE FERNS assistant coach Craig McMillan and Northern Brave women’s coach Peter Borren.
Donkers will name the team’s captains once the squad have assembled in England.
The squad will depart on Saturday with their first One Day match in Derby on June 23.
Live scoring and coverage information will be confirmed in due course.
ENDS
New Zealand A tour to England
One Day series
1st One Day match – Monday June 23 – County Ground, Derby – 10pm NZT (11am local)
2nd One Day match – Thursday June 26 – County Ground, Derby - 10pm NZT (11am local)
3rd One Day match – Sunday June 29 – County Ground, Chelmsford – 10pm NZT (11am local)
T20 series
1st T20 – Friday July 4 – County Ground, Chelmsford – 1.30am NZT +1 day (2.30pm local)
2nd T20 – Sunday July 6 – Kent County Ground, Beckenham – 1.30am NZT +1 day (2.30pm local)
3rd T20 – Tuesday July 8 – Kent County Ground, Beckenham – 1.30am NZT +1 day (2.30pm local)
