Lea Tahuhu’s Personal Details
Full Name: Lea-Marie Maureen Tahuhu
Date of Birth: 23 September 1990
Batting Style: Right-hand batter
Bowling Style: Right-arm medium-fast
Role: Bowler
Lea Tahuhu is one of the fastest bowlers in the New Zealand women’s cricket team. Born in Christchurch, Canterbury, she has been an important player for New Zealand for many years. She is known for her pace and attacking bowling and has done well in both international and franchise T20 cricket.
Lea started playing cricket at a young age and played domestic cricket for Canterbury. Her good bowling performances helped her get a place in the New Zealand team in 2011. Since then, she has become one of the most experienced fast bowlers in the squad.
In March 2026, Lea announced her retirement from ODI cricket, but she still continues to play T20 cricket for New Zealand. Notably, this campaign will be the last in New Zealand colours.
Lea Tahuhu WT20I Career
Lea made her WT20I debut for New Zealand against India in June 2011. Since then, she has played more than 100 WT20I matches and has been one of the team’s main fast bowlers.
She has taken 98 wickets in WT20Is, with best bowling figures of 4/6. Lea is known for bowling with good speed, aiming at the stumps, and troubling batters with movement and bounce. She also uses slower balls very well, which makes her very useful in T20 cricket.
Lea has played in many ICC tournaments for New Zealand, including several Women’s T20 World Cups. One of the biggest moments of her career came in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where New Zealand won the title for the first time.
During the tournament, Lea bowled very well and played a big part in the team’s success. She took 3/15 against India in the group stage and gave important performances during the competition.
Lea Tahuhu T20 Career
Along with international cricket, Lea has also played franchise T20 cricket in different countries. She has represented teams like the Sydney Thunder Women, Melbourne Renegades Women, Manchester Originals Women, and Gujarat Giants Women.
Lea has also been a regular player for Canterbury in New Zealand domestic cricket for many years. Her steady bowling performances made her one of the country’s top fast bowlers.
In 2017, she was named in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year, which was one of the biggest achievements of her career.
Recent Form Before Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Lea Tahuhu continued to play an important role for New Zealand in 2026. During the T20I series against South Africa, she took important wickets and bowled with good control. With her experience, pace, and leadership in the bowling attack, Lea Tahuhu will once again be an important player for New Zealand in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Loves all things female cricket