Georgia Plimmer and Lea Tahuhu miss out due to injuries, while Otago Sparks wicket-keeper batter Bella James earns a maiden call-up as White Ferns name squad for the ODI series against Australia.
The New Zealand women’s team, led by skipper Sophie Devine, will host Australia for a three-match bilateral One-Day series from 19th to 23rd December 2024. The last time Australia visited the country for a bilateral was in April 2021, when the hosts suffered a heart-breaking whitewash (3-0) in the ODI series that year.
However, the home side would be keen to settle the scores this time around against the mighty Australians, and they would have to look no further for inspiration than their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in the UAE in October 2024. It won’t be that easy as Australia will be riding high on confidence after the Tahlia McGrath-led side handed a thumping whitewash to visitors India led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in their recently concluded ODI series.
New Zealand’s Squad for ODI series against Australia:
Sophie Devine (C), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze (WK), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold
It is to be noted that veteran pacer Lea Tahuhu and young opening batter Georgia Plimmer will miss out due to injuries.
The 25-year-old wicket-keeper batter Bella James earned a maiden call-up to the senior White Ferns set-up on the back of consistently impressive performances at the domestic level, representing Otago Sparks. She is a part of the ongoing edition of the New Zealand Cricket Women’s One-Day Competition and is the leading run-scorer for her side and is currently the 2nd highest run-scorer of the tournament with 293 runs at a strike rate of 84.92 and a sensational average of 73.25 in six innings.
Bella’s tally of runs includes one half-century and one century. Her best performance with the bat for her side in the ongoing tournament came on 30th November 2024 against Wellington Blaze, when she guided her side over the line with a match-winning knock of 101* off 114 balls. She is likely to make her international debut for the White Ferns in the upcoming ODI series against Australia.
“She’s been working hard at the domestic level for many years, and her current form in HBJ shows why she deserves this opportunity. Bella’s ability to hit 360 degrees around the ground with power is a valuable quality,” said the current White Ferns selector Sarah Tsukigawa about rewarding Bella’s consistent hard work at the domestic level, while also giving insights on what she could potentially bring to the table for the White Ferns in the upcoming ODI series.
(Quote sourced from New Zealand Cricket Press Release)
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