The New Zealand Women’s T20 World Cup is underway. The team will be supported by many youngsters who will assist Sophie Devine along the way for the upcoming tournament.

In addition to the skipper, only four players in the 15-player group are older than 30 years. That has led to players like Frankie Mackay, Katey Martin, and Amy Satterthwaite, members of their 50-over World Cup group, all making their way to international cricket in the past few months.

With most of the squad that played against Bangladesh in the home summer returning to the World Cup, New Zealand’s chances have been further enhanced by the return of hard-hitting all-rounder Brooke Halliday, who missed the respected series due to a hand injury. New Zealand will have a huge advantage in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 with this advantage. During their last bilateral series, the New Zealand women’s cricket team proved to be too strong for the Bangladeshi team. As a result, the team won the home series against Bangladesh by a margin of 3-0.

Inclusion of Bernadine Bezuidenhout in the Team

Bernadine Bezuidenhout, who changed allegiance from South Africa to New Zealand in 2018, also joins the squad. She is selected over Jess McFadyen and Izzy Gaze, who are fellow wicketkeepers. The prospect of playing against the Proteas on February 13 beckons for Bezuidenhout, should she be selected. It is with great pleasure that I welcome back Bezuidenhout after a two-year absence while recovering from Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.

Ben Sawyer, White Ferns head coach, stated that Bezuidenhout brings quality to the group and helps the team play a style of cricket that should ensure the team challenges the best around the globe. There is no doubt that she is one of the best wicketkeepers and batsmen in women’s cricket across the world at the present time.  Ben Sawyer stated these comments for Bezuidenhout :

“For the past seven or eight months we’ve been looking to establish a brand of cricket that we believe spectators will enjoy and, at the same time, gives us the best possible chance of success in major tournaments.

“With both the bat in hand and her work behind the stumps, we believe that Bernie will contribute positively to that style of play.”

Some of the Hard Calls by Selectors

New Zealand did not include fast bowler Rosemary Mair on their list. Mair was also not included over the home summer. Georgia Plimmer and Fran Jonas, from the U19 contingent, will remain in South Africa as members of the senior team. As early as the beginning of New Zealand’s U19 T20 World Cup campaign, Jonas sustained a calf injury. However, he is likely to be fit for the senior tournament.

On February 11, New Zealand takes on defending champions Australia in Paarl as part of their opening round match of the tournament. Last year, they fell short of reaching the semi-finals at the Women’s T20 World Cup, finishing behind their Trans-Tasman rivals and India.

New Zealand Squad: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu