In a bold move signalling fresh ambition, 25-year-old New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr has been appointed the new all-format captain for New Zealand, succeeding Sophie Devine, who stepped down from the role following the conclusion of the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in October.
The leg-spinning dynamo, who debuted at just 16 years and 27 days old, the youngest ever for the White Ferns, now steps into the permanent leadership role for both ODI and T20I sides, having already captained in two ODIs and two T20Is.
Amelia Kerr’s tenure kicks off with the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting with the three-match T20I leg at Seddon Park in Hamilton on February 25. Squads will be named on Friday, setting the stage for an exhilarating build-up to a packed three-year cycle: the 10th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026; the ICC T20 Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next year; and the LA Olympics plus T20 World Cup in 2028.
Since her 2016 debut, Kerr has amassed 3,757 runs and 201 wickets across formats, ranking as the White Ferns’ third all-time leading wicket-taker and fourth-highest run-scorer. Her crown jewel? A starring role in New Zealand’s triumphant 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE, where she topped the wicket charts with 15 scalps at an average of 7.33 and economy of 4.85, including a four-wicket haul, while smashing 135 runs at a strike rate of 90.
Named Player of the Tournament and Player of the Match in the final against South Africa, she clinched the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy as the first New Zealander to win ICC Women’s Player of the Year. Add her highest-ever White Ferns ODI score of 232* against Ireland in 2018, a 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze, and three NZC Debbie Hockley Medals, and Kerr’s resume screams generational talent.
Delighted yet grounded, Kerr shared her vision: “Growing up, it was my childhood dream to represent New Zealand and to now have the opportunity to captain my country is a massive privilege. I’m really excited by the growth, the talent and the dedication of this group and the potential of what we can achieve and where we can go together.”
Her philosophy draws from Māori wisdom, “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata” (What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is the people), emphasising a “people-first” approach: “We are people first. As a group, we look out for each other, we celebrate each other’s success, and we represent our people.”
White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer hailed her as the perfect fit. “Melie has been an integral member of the squad for many years and deeply understands what it means to be a White Fern. We believe leading the White Ferns can take Melie’s game to the next level and know she’s ready to step up and lead this team forward.” NZC Head of Women’s High Performance Development Liz Green echoed the sentiment, praising Kerr’s passion and alignment with the team’s future vision.
As the White Ferns transition from Devine’s era of grit to Kerr’s blend of flair and empathy, Aotearoa’s “Land of the Long White Cloud” braces for silverware. With Amelia Kerr at the helm, expect fireworks on the road to England 2026.
(Quotes sourced from New Zealand Cricket Press Release)
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