New Zealand Women pick Bree Illing, Emma McLeod, Izzy Sharp for SL series; Georgia Plimmer back after injury

New Zealand Women pick Bree Illing, Emma McLeod, Izzy Sharp for SL series; Georgia Plimmer back after injury

by

New Zealand has announced a 16-player squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka, featuring uncapped players Emma McLeod, Izzy Sharp, and Bree Illing. Georgia Plimmer returns after a hip injury, while Hayley Jensen makes her comeback after two years. Suzie Bates will captain the team in the absence of Sophie Devine, who is on a well-being break. Amelia Kerr is also unavailable due to her commitments in India. The squad aims to gain experience against Sri Lanka’s spinners ahead of the ODI World Cup later this year. The series begins on March 4 in Napier.

New Zealand has selected a youthful uncapped trio consisting of Emma McLeod, batter Izzy Sharp, and left-arm seamer Bree Illing for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka. The 16-member squad also features the return of Georgia Plimmer, who has recovered from a bone stress reaction in her hip that kept her out since November.
Hayley Jensen makes her return, having last played for New Zealand two years ago, following a successful domestic season.

The seasoned Suzie Bates will captain the team in place of full-time ODI captain Sophie Devine, who is on a well-being break, and the T20I successor has yet to be announced. Amelia Kerr will also miss the series, as she is currently in India representing the Mumbai Indians at the WPL.

The uncapped trio has emerged from the New Zealand Under-19 teams, with McLeod, 18, recently participating in her second Under-19 T20 World Cup, and Sharp, 20, previously captaining the first tournament held two years ago. McLeod earned her selection after amassing 300 runs for Central Districts in the ongoing domestic one-day competition, boasting an average close to 43 with two half-centuries.

Illing, also 21, has been a consistent wicket-taker for Auckland in the same competition, ranking third with 19 wickets at an average of 21.10. She shone for Auckland in the T20 Super Smash prior, ending with an impressive economy rate of just 5.44 alongside eight wickets. Illing was also selected for New Zealand A last year.

“Emma, Bree, and Izzy have been recognized by Major Association and NZC coaches as having the necessary competencies and skillsets to excel in international cricket,” stated head coach Ben Sawyer. “Emma’s been performing well in the HBJ Shield, and her ability to score through the off-side and run effectively between the wickets is invaluable.”

“Izzy has impressed us with her aggressive approach against spin, which will be beneficial in this series.”

“Bree’s ability to target the stumps and swing the ball into right-handers is crucial in international play.”

Plimmer makes her return after last featuring in the ODI series in India in November, which followed New Zealand’s T20 World Cup triumph in Dubai. Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis is called up for the second time after being included for the India tour, although she has yet to make her international debut. Otago’s Bella James is also poised to make her T20I debut, having debuted in ODIs against Australia in December when Plimmer and Lea Tahuhu were both injured.
Tahuhu (hamstring) and Rosemary Mair (elbow) are still coping with injuries, and Molly Penfold has recently been ruled out for at least three months due to a knee injury. Mair is expected to be ready for the Sri Lanka T20Is starting March 14, while Tahuhu is anticipated to return by the Australia T20Is on March 21.

Sawyer further mentioned that the upcoming games will serve as valuable experience against spin, considering the ODI World Cup scheduled in India for October this year.

“Sri Lanka presents a formidable challenge with several world-class spinners,” he noted.

“We will explore various combinations during this series, and I am eager to see how players adapt to different roles. This is a chance to assess batters in varied positions and to experiment with different bowlers both at the start and at the end of the innings.”

The ODI squad will assemble on March 2 in Napier following the HBJ Shield final on Saturday. The ODI series kicks off on March 4 in Napier and continues in Nelson for two additional matches on March 7 and 9. The T20Is are scheduled for March 14 and 16 in Christchurch, concluding on March 18 in Dunedin.

New Zealand Women ODI and T20I squads for Sri Lanka

Suzie Bates (capt), Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing (ODIs only), Polly Inglis (ODIs only), Bella James, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair (T20Is only), Emma McLeod, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe (ODIs only), Izzy Sharp (T20Is only)

Leave a Comment