New Zealand named their squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s World T20 taking place in the West Indies as Suzie Bates steps down as the captain of the White Ferns ahead of the tournament.
As many as six spinners have been named in the 15-player squad for the 2018 Women’s World T20 taking place in November, in anticipation of the slow, spinning wickets in the Caribbean. The squad comprises of a balanced mix of experience and young talent as the likes of Amelia Kerr and Jess Watkins (set to make their ICC World T20 debuts) join the experienced spin options of Leigh Kasperek, Maddy Green, Anna Peterson and newly-instated captain Amy Satterthwaite.
New Zealand are unchanged from the squad that recently toured England and Ireland in June and July of this year. They will also take a reduced squad (excluding Peterson and Hannah Rowe) to Australia as they play a three-match T20 international series against the Aussie Women as part of their preparations for the upcoming international T20 tournament.
Newly-appointed captain Satterthwaite will be honing her captaincy skills in the upcoming series as she begins her leadership role after long-time captain Bates decided to step down ahead of the World T20. Ex-captain Bates tweeted: ‘It has been an incredible honour and privilege (sic) to lead the White Ferns. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way and gave me the opportunity. I now cannot wait to play under new skip and mate @AmySatterthwait. If I’m lucky she will put me on the boundary.’
New Zealand Coach Haidee Tiffen didn’t seem concerned when asked what impact such a leadership change can have on the team so close to a big tournament, adding: ‘Amy is a highly experienced cricketer with over 200 international matches under her belt. She has taken the captaincy in her stride and as a team we are looking forward to getting stuck into some competitive cricket against the old foe Australia.’
Squad for Australia T20Is: Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Watkin
Squad for ICC WWT20: Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek. Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Lea Tahuhu, Jess Watkin
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
