New Zealand has named pacer Rosemary Mair and off-spinner Leigh Kasperek in their 15-member squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the UAE. Mair returns from a back injury that sidelined her earlier this year, while Kasperek marks her comeback to strengthen the team’s spin attack. This will be Kasperek’s fourth World Cup.
Veterans Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates will be making their ninth appearance in the T20 World Cup, having competed in every edition since 2009. The squad includes only one player, wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze, who has yet to play in a T20 World Cup.
Sophie Devine, who will step down from T20I captaincy after the tournament, expressed her excitement, saying, “The T20 World Cup has been vital for the growth of the women’s game, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of it from the beginning. Competing against top teams is always a great challenge.”
Head coach Ben Sawyer added, “This squad is well-rounded and adaptable to various conditions. Soph and Suze bring invaluable experience, and Rosemary has worked hard to regain fitness after her injury.”
New Zealand Squad for Women’s T20 World Cup:
- Sophie Devine (C)
- Suzie Bates
- Eden Carson
- Izzy Gaze (wk)
- Maddy Green
- Brooke Halliday
- Fran Jonas
- Leigh Kasperek
- Jess Kerr
- Melie Kerr
- Rosemary Mair
- Molly Penfold
- Georgia Plimmer
- Hannah Rowe
- Lea Tahuhu
Before the World Cup, the team will play a three-match T20I series against Australia from September 19 to 24. New Zealand is in Group A alongside Australia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with their first World Cup match against India on October 4.