The 16-person New Zealand women’s team for their forthcoming trip to South Africa has been revealed. Interestingly, just two years after signing a developmental contract with New Zealand Cricket, Kate Anderson and Bella Armstrong have received their first call-ups.
Notably, Anderson excelled for Canterbury during the domestic season, finishing as the T20 competition’s top run-scorer. She was scheduled to face Sri Lanka earlier this year and was supposed to make her debut, but she had to withdraw from the series due to a finger injury. Armstong, though, has just been called up for the T20I series.
The middle-order batter’s performance in New Zealand’s one-day tournament convinced the team management to give her a spot in the series against South Africa. Head coach Ben Sawyer, meanwhile, praised the pair for their recent efforts and expressed his happiness that they had made it to the national squad.
Kate had a fantastic domestic season last year, and it was sad that an injury prevented her from participating in the Sri Lanka tour. We are excited to give her a chance on the international level because we admire her power and batting prowess. According to Sawyer, who spoke with ESPNcricinfo, Bella is a promising young player with strong swings and excellent fielding abilities.
Jess Kerr rejoins the national team.
Jess Kerr, a pacer who had been injured, is scheduled to play against South Africa. She being a part of the mix is a huge plus for the team, according to Sawyer. He praised Kerr and noted that she is a professional bowler.
It’s a huge plus to have Jess back in the lineup after an injury kept her from the Sri Lanka tour, according to Sawyer. Sawyer said, “She has a world-class bowling skill set and is particularly effective with her in-swinger, which is proving to be more and more challenging in the women’s game.
Sophie Devine (captain), Kate Anderson, Bella Armstrong (only for T20Is), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze (only for ODIs), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, and Lea Tahuhu are the members of the New Zealand team traveling to South Africa.