As the lockdown eases throughout the globe, we might see some cricketing action soon. With ECB announcing a tentative date for their test clash against Windies, fans seem to wonder what all will change in post-COVID globe.
It has been agreed that stadiums will not have spectators and the ball will not be closer to saliva. However, a pause to the game does not translate into a complete deadlock. Cricket Australia has released the contracts and Pakistanis have used virtual methods to train themselves. White Ferns are the next team that has updated their contracts.
The update has brought joy to Jess Kerr and Natalie Dodd. Jess has been an essential part of the Wellington Blaze while Central Hinds have Natalie as their wicketkeeper and batting option. These two names are, however, not new faces to the fans. Dodd has made her debut in 2010. Kerr, on the other hand, has played ODI and T20I cricket in the recent 2019-20 season. Both of these players have been in the eyes for a while and had earned Development Contracts in 2019-20.
Kerr was also one of the few players to be part of the Emerging Players Programme of 2019. With the inclusion of Kerr and Dodd, there have two exclusions. Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Rachel Priest could not make it to the contract. The head coach of the New Zealand side, Bob Carter said that the new players deserve their places in the national side. He said that hard work and perseverance from both the players have earned them their places.
He added that: Jess was an excellent addition to the group last season and impressed the coaching staff with her work ethic and commitment. We’re looking forward to her developing her game over the next 12 months. Natalie has impressed over several seasons at the domestic level and has been in the top echelon of run-scorers while also showing her ability with the gloves. We see this as an opportunity to work on her skills and hopefully build on an international career that started many years ago.
I’m happy the majority of our group can remain stable as we look for continual improvement and application from our players. We have an experienced core of White Ferns and want to ensure our younger, less experienced players have the chance to learn from them over the next 12 months.”
The list, with central contracts players, published by NZC is as follows
Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Natalie Dodd*, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr*, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu.
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