The White Ferns have announced their T20 world cup squad and they are one of the toughest sides going into a tournament like a world cup. Not many changes into their squad which is currently playing a series against South Africa in New Zealand with just the addition of Lea Tahuhu who makes a return after motherhood.
The squad will be led by the veteran Sophie Devine, who, along with Suzie Bates, has featured in every women’s T20 World Cup since its inception in 2009. They have a balanced side with plenty of international experience within and will look to grab on every opportunity they get, to get their hands on that World Cup trophy.
Here’s looking at the players who could create an impact in this T20 world cup:
#1 Sophie Devine
The skipper Sophie is the most experienced campaigner in this Kiwi set up and having played 83 T20I’s has scored 1955 runs with 10 half-centuries to her name. She has also picked up 80 wickets in this format which makes her the most crucial all-rounder in this side as well. Sophie is fairly new to captaincy but she will be captaining the white ferns in the series at home against South Africa and that experience will surely make her lead by example in the upcoming world cup.
#2 Suzie Bates
Suzie Bates is the all-time leading run-scorer in T20I’s and makes her the most important batters in this New Zealand side. With 3100 runs in 111 games, the former captain Suzie has one century to her name and averages more than 30 in this format. She also bowls medium pace and has picked up 49 wickets as well. Suzie recently passed on her captaincy to Sophie as she wanted to concentrate more on her batting.
#3 Leigh Kasperek
28-year-old off-spinner Leigh Kasperek has played 34 T20I’s and has taken 58 wickets which makes her the second-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in this format. Her wily craft will surely give a lot of variety to this pace bowling heavy New Zealand side and she could well be amongst the wickets in the upcoming world cup.
#4 Lea Tahuhu
Lea who is making a return to this side will be playing the South African series at home and with her back in the side she will hurry a few batters up with her pace for sure. In 50 T20I’s Lea has picked up 44 wickets at an economy of just under 6.
#5 Katey Martin
35-year-old wicketkeeper batter Katey Martin is one of the most experienced of the lot. Having played 74 T20I’s Katey has scored 773 runs with 4 half-centuries to her name and is a solid batter to have especially when the chips are down and you need someone to coast you out from a difficult situation.
So these are some of the most crucial players in this lineup for New Zealand who will look to create an impact in the world cup. New Zealand starts off its campaign with a couple of warm-up games against England & newcomers Thailand on the 16th & 19th of Feb respectively and will play their first group stage match on the 22nd of Feb against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand Squad:
Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Rachel Priest, Lea Tahuhu
2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – New Zealand
Warm-ups
February 16: New Zealand v England
February 19: New Zealand v Thailand
Tournament
February 22: New Zealand v Srilanka
February 27: New Zealand v India
February 29: New Zealand v Bangladesh
March 02: New Zealand v Australia
March 5: Semi-final 1, SCG
March 5: Semi-final 2, SCG
March 8: Final, MCG
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