The New Zealand have declared their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and are a strong contenders to lift the trophy.With the spin expected to play a major role on the slow pitches in the Caribbean, New Zealand have picked 5 spin-bowling options in the squad for the tournament.
Let’s have a look at the players that are going to visit the Caribbean.
Amy Sattherthwaite (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhoute, Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu, Jessica Watkin.
Let’s have a look at each player in detail.
Amy Sattherthwaite (c ) – Appointed as the captain just 2 months ago, she will be eager to lead the country at the world stage. The left handed middle order batter will be looking to get in form and contribute to the team’s cause. Her part time off spin too will come handy on the dry pitches of the West Indies.
Suzie Bates – The veteran all rounder is the backbone of the batting line up. The highest run getter in T20Is will be looking to continue her form from the recently concluded Australia series. She also can provide four good economical overs.
Bernadine Bezuidenhoute –Having topped the run getters in the domestic competition, she finds herself in the squad. The aggressive batter with her innovative skills will help the team perform at the global event. She can also keep the wickets if required.
Sophie Devine –The aggressive opener’s role in the team will be crucial as she clears the rope with ease. She needs to back her skills and look to bat throughout the innings. She can also bowl with the new ball which will provide good support to Tahuhu.
Kate Ebrahim -With over 30 International matches under her belt, she’s a good player with her experience vital in the Caribbean. She bowls right arm medium and can bat lower down the order.
Maddy Green – A young talent with a lot of potential is yet to make a mark in T20s at the international level but can bat and carry the innings forward. Also a part time off spinner and a good athlete in the field will be looking to contribute in the team’s cause.
Holly Huddleston – The right arm medium pacer is very economical in her bowling. With 8 wickets from 10 matches,she will be looking to pick wickets and help her team lift the trophy.
Hayley Jensen- The all rounder is a good inclusion in the squad as she picks wickets and can bat lower in the order. She also has a good strike rate with the bat.
Leigh Kasperek – The off spinner is a bit expensive but has a knack of picking wickets. Her best figures in T20Is is 4/7 and will be hoping to play a vital role in the upcoming tournament.
Amelia Kerr – The teenager will be playing her first global event and must be excited to represent her country. The leg break all-rounder must be feeling the pressure as seen in the recently concluded Australia series but will be very effective if she gets her rhythm back.
Katey Martin – The aggressive batter is in good touch. She finds the boundary more often and will be hard to stop if she gets going as seen Down Under. She will be keeping the wickets for the White Ferns.
Anna Peterson – The off spinner has a good bowling average. She took a hat trick against Australia in a T20 game in 2017. So she will be a threat early in the tournament.
Hannah Rowe – She is a right handed batter and a right arm medium pace bowler. She is 21 years old and will be looking to cash in whenever the opportunity arises.
Lea Tahuhu – The right arm fast bowler will be the key for them. Constantly bowling at 100+ mph, she has the task of giving early breakthroughs for her team. In December 2017, she was named as one of the players in the ICC Women’s T20I team of the year. So the experienced Tahuhu will play a big role in the team’s success.
Jessica Watkin – The fifth spinner in the squad is more than handy with the bat too. She has got a fifty to her name and will be eager to contribute in every possible way.
Let’s see whether the White Ferns will be able to lift their maiden T20 title. Let’s wish them good luck for the mega event that starts from 9th November.
