New challenges ahead for White Ferns quartet
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- 2 min read
Spin-bowling all-rounders Flora Devonshire, Nensi Patel, and batters Emma McLeod and Izzy Sharp have been named in the White Ferns ODI squad for the three-match series in England and Wales next month.
It will mark the quartet's first senior overseas tour for New Zealand.
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The newcomers, who are all in their early 20s, featured in the ODI series victories against Zimbabwe and South Africa at home earlier this year and will now get the opportunity to test their skill-sets abroad.
Devonshire was selected in the team’s 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup squad, but returned home without getting a game after she sustained a finger injury during training. The left-armer went on to make her ODI debut in Christchurch against South Africa in March.
Melie Kerr, who took on full-time New Zealand captaincy in February, will lead the 15-strong squad alongside senior players Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, and Brooke Halliday.
Bates’ will close the chapter on her 181-match ODI career during the tour, after her announcement last week that she will be retiring from international cricket at the conclusion of the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said it was a well-balanced squad.
“We’ve got some exciting young talent in this squad with the likes of Emma, Izzy, Nensi, and Flora, alongside our core group of seasoned campaigners,” he said.
“Our younger players are finding their feet in international cricket but they’ve proved they have what it takes to succeed at this level."
Sawyer anticipated that the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-finalists would be a challenging opponent.
“England is a tough side to beat in their home conditions - so it’s a good chance to test ourselves.
“We’ve made some great gains as a group recently and are coming off the back of a successful home summer so hopefully that gives the team a lot of confidence heading into this series.”
White Ferns ODI squad to England
Melie Kerr (C) Wellington Blaze
Suzie Bates Otago Sparks
Flora Devonshire Central Hinds
Izzy Gaze Auckland Hearts
Maddy Green Auckland Hearts
Brooke Halliday Auckland Hearts
Bree Illing Auckland Hearts
Polly Inglis Otago Sparks
Jess Kerr Wellington Blaze
Emma McLeod Central Hinds
Rosemary Mair Central Hinds
Nensi Patel Northern Districts
Molly Penfold Auckland Hearts
Georgia Plimmer Wellington Blaze
Izzy Sharp Canterbury Magicians
The squad departs to England later this week ahead of their warm-up match against ECB development XI on May 6.
The first ODI takes place in Durham, before games two and three in Northampton and Cardiff respectively.
1st ODI - Sunday 10 May 10.00pm (NZT) - Durham
2nd ODI - Thursday 14 May 12.00am (NZT) - Northampton
3rd ODI - Saturday 16 May 10.00pm (NZT) - Cardiff
The squad for the T20 leg of the series and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be named this Wednesday April 29
