New Zealand Announce ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Squad: Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates Set for Record Ninth Appearance

sanjeev

khelja|10-09-2024

As New Zealand gears up for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, two iconic players, Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, are set to make history by appearing in their ninth consecutive tournament.
The team for the Devine, who will captain the White Ferns, is hoping to finally lift the trophy that has narrowly eluded her team, who were runners-up in the first two editions of the tournament in 2009 and 2010. Devine's presence in the squad underscores her remarkable consistency and leadership, as she prepares to lead a formidable team packed with experience and skill. Alongside Bates, who has also been ever-present at every Women's T20 World Cup since its inception, New Zealand's lineup boasts a wealth of experience, with key players like Lea Tahuhu, Amelia Kerr, and Maddy Green adding depth to the squad. The White Ferns' squad includes a solid mix of veterans and younger talent, a balance that head coach Ben Sawyer believes will be crucial to their success. Sawyer expressed confidence in the 15 players chosen for the tournament, saying, "I'm really pleased with this squad; I think these are our best players to adapt to what will likely be varied conditions." He also praised the enduring presence of Devine and Bates, noting that their experience will be invaluable in a competition that promises to be intense. "Soph and Suze have a huge amount of tournament experience from World Cups to franchise leagues, so we'll certainly be leaning on that knowledge," Sawyer added. Among the notable returnees is pacer Rosemary Mair, who had missed the tour of England earlier in the year due to a back injury. Her inclusion strengthens New Zealand's pace attack, which also features Jess Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, and Molly Penfold. The White Ferns' spin department will be led by Amelia Kerr, alongside Leigh Kasperek and Fran Jonas, providing a balanced bowling attack suited for the conditions in the UAE. New Zealand has been placed in a competitive Group A, alongside defending champions Australia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The team will aim to secure a spot in the knockout stages, starting with warm-up matches against South Africa and England ahead of the main tournament in October. The squad's experience and balance between youth and veteran players put New Zealand in a strong position to challenge for the coveted title. Devine, who will captain the side in her ninth straight World Cup, will look to lead from the front, hoping to break their long-standing World Cup drought. New Zealand Squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu. With both seasoned campaigners and fresh talent, the White Ferns will be determined to make a mark at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, as the quest for their first title continues.
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