Bella James, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, has been consistently impressing in domestic competitions with her strong performances, and her hard work has finally paid off with her recent T20I debut for New Zealand. James made her international debut in the shortest format against Australia, just months after making her ODI debut against the same opponents at the same venue in December 2024.
Although James’ T20I debut didn’t quite go as planned, with a modest 14 runs off 9 balls, as New Zealand fell short by 8 runs in a 181-run chase, her potential remains undeniable. The series loss to Australia marked a disappointing start to her international T20 career, but it’s worth noting that her ODI debut against the same opponents showed glimpses of promise, with scores of 27 off 33 balls and 24 off 29 balls in the two matches.
Her domestic records suggest that she has the talent and temperament to excel at the international level. It’s likely only a matter of time before she makes a meaningful impact and announces her arrival on the world stage.
James’ impressive domestic record is built on a strong foundation, with the Otago Sparks player making her List A debut as far back as 2014. In the most recent edition of the New Zealand Women’s One-Day Competition, 2024-25 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, James was in fine form, finishing as the 8th highest run-scorer with 332 runs in 9 matches, including a career-best unbeaten 101.
Notably, she was the third-highest run-scorer for Otago Sparks, a testament to her consistent contributions to the team. Unfortunately, an injury sustained during a match against Central Districts forced her to miss the final two games, including the tournament final, which the Sparks went on to win, lifting the trophy without James’ participation.
Her absence was also felt in the subsequent ODI series against Sri Lanka, which she missed due to the same injury. However, James’ long-term record in the competition is impressive, with 1257 runs accumulated over the years.
James’ T20 credentials are also noteworthy, with a solid record in New Zealand’s Women’s Super Smash competition. In the 2024-25 edition, she scored 148 runs in 10 matches, helping the Otago Sparks reach the final, where they ultimately finished as runners-up. Her previous two seasons in the Super Smash had also yielded impressive returns, with 161 runs in 10 matches in 2023-24, and 117 runs in 11 matches in 2022-23, demonstrating her consistency and adaptability in the shortest format.
Her List A career has been marked by several notable milestones, including her first century in the 2022-23 New Zealand Women’s One-Day Competition, where she scored 101 off 120 balls against Central Districts. Interestingly, her second List A century also ended with the same score, but this time she achieved it fewer balls, remaining unbeaten on 101 off 114 balls while chasing down a target of 187 against Wellington Blaze in the 2024-25 edition.
With a strong domestic record backing her, James will be eager to replicate her impressive performances on the international stage. As she continues to don the New Zealand jersey, she’ll be looking to make the most of the opportunities that come her way, converting her potential into impactful contributions that help her team succeed.
Loves all things female cricket
