A trio of exciting young talent in Flora Devonshire, Nensi Patel, and Izzy Sharp are the newcomers to the WHITE FERNS 17-player central contract list for 2026-27.
Devonshire and Sharp’s contracts come off the back of their involvement in NZC’s Central Players of Interest programme over the past 12 months. The programme is one of the women’s pathway avenues that aims to accelerate the development of high-potential talent.
Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, and Lea Tahuhu have come off the central contract list from last year after confirming their international retirements, alongside Sophie Devine who was on a casual playing agreement.
Devonshire, Patel, and Sharp join an experienced list of WHITE FERNS regulars including captain Melie Kerr, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, and Georgia Plimmer.
Left-arm batting all-rounder Devonshire made her international debut in March 2025 and has since been named in two World Cup squads.
The 23-year-old Central Hind has persisted through finger injuries over the last year and continued to impress with her all-round skills and clean ball-striking on the domestic scene.
Spin bowling all-rounder Patel has been recalled after receiving her first WHITE FERNS contract in the 2022-23 season.
The 24-year-old Northern Brave has taken 14 wickets since her international debut in February, making a tidy start to her T20I career averaging 9.8 with an economy rate of 4.04 with the ball.
Patel made a positive start to her debut ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign, taking 4-18 against Bangladesh in the team’s first warm-up match on the weekend.
Sharp, a hard-hitting right-hander from Timaru, has long been touted as a prospect for the future.
The 21-year-old led New Zealand U19 to the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023 when she was on her first domestic contract with the Canterbury Magicians.
A crucial batter in the Magicians’ line up, Sharp averaged 30 with the bat striking at 128 during the 2025-26 Super Smash and was the team’s top run-scorer.
Fran Jonas, who recently represented New Zealand A on their tour to Sri Lanka, has retained her contract as the 22-year-old continues to make progress with technical changes to her bowling.
WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer was pleased to reward the newcomers with a central contract.
“Congratulations to all 17 contracted players, especially to Flora, Nensi and Izzy who are new to the list,” said Sawyer.
“All three of these players add talent and energy to the group and we’re really excited about their future as WHITE FERNS.”
Sawyer said the contract selection process was not easy.
“Every year the contracting process gets tougher because there’s a growing pool of players fighting for spots.
“It means there’s genuine depth building in our women’s system which is ultimately a great thing for the WHITE FERNS.”
Sawyer praised the new faces.
“Flora’s a clean striker with lots of power.
“Being left-handed she offers a point of difference as she’s able to hit to different areas of the field, and there’s the added bonus of her left-arm orthodox bowling.
“Nensi’s consistently accurate with the ball, and she has great control over her length and pace.”
Sawyer said he saw similarities between Sharp and Devine.
“Izzy’s batting has been building from strength to strength.
“She possesses similar qualities to Sophie and with Soph stepping away from international cricket soon, it’s really exciting to bring someone with Izzy’s power onto a central contract so we can keep working with her to develop those skills.”
The WHITE FERNS are currently in England preparing for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
They play their first Group match on Sunday against the West Indies at 5.30am NZT, broadcast live in New Zealand on Sky Sport.
WHITE FERNS Central Contracts 2026-2027
Eden Carson Otago
Flora Devonshire* Central Districts
Izzy Gaze Auckland
Maddy Green Auckland
Brooke Halliday Auckland
Bree Illing Auckland
Polly Inglis Otago
Bella James Otago
Fran Jonas Auckland
Jess Kerr Wellington
Melie Kerr Wellington
Rosemary Mair Central Districts
Nensi Patel** Northern Districts
Molly Penfold Auckland
Georgia Plimmer Wellington
Hannah Rowe Central Districts
Izzy Sharp* Canterbury
*First central contract
**Returning to central contract
