Photo Credit: Bidgee CC BY-SA 3.0 au
Wellington Blaze all-rounder Sophie Devine has been named WHITE FERNS captain, taking over from Amy Satterthwaite who has recently given birth to her first child.
The 30-year-old Devine has been confirmed to lead the side in both formats indefinitely, starting with the upcoming One-Day and T20 series against South Africa later this month.
The ODI squad announced today contains a potential debutant in Wellington Blaze bowler Jess Kerr, sister of WHITE FERNS all-rounder Amelia Kerr.
A senior member of the team, Devine has 185 internationals to her name and said it was an honour to be asked to do the job full-time.
“I’m really proud and excited to lead the WHITE FERNS,” Devine said.
“This is a team I’m deeply passionate about and to have the opportunity to help drive its future is a privilege.
“It’s an exciting time for women’s cricket in this country with the recently signed MOU with NZC, a fresh direction with our new coach Bob Carter, and two ICC World Cups on the horizon.
“We’ve got a good mix of talent and experience in the group and I’m looking forward to leaning on my fellow senior players to try and build on the good work done by Amy and Suzie Bates.”
Coach Bob Carter fully endorsed Devine’s appointment and said he was looking forward to working with the new captain.
“Sophie’s been an outstanding performer for the WHITE FERNS for more than a decade now and we feel she’s ready to step up and lead this team.
“She has a sound understanding of the game and, most importantly, holds the respect of her fellow players.
“We believe the leadership can take her game to an even higher level.
“This group has a lot to look forward to with a busy summer ahead before the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in March and next year’s ICC One Day World Cup here in New Zealand.”
New Zealand Cricket CEO David White welcomed Devine’s appointment to the role as captain.
“We have a group of strong leaders within the WHITE FERNS setup and I have no doubt Sophie, along with her fellow senior players, will perform her duties as captain with distinction.
“She has been a wonderful performer for many years and we have every confidence she’ll take the captaincy in her stride and grow as a leader.”
The WHITE FERNS squad selected has a familiar look to it, with 14 of the 15 players named already having represented the team.
However, the newest member of the squad Jess Kerr earns her first selection in a WHITE FERNS squad and the potential of an exciting debut for the Kerr family.
“To be selected in my first WHITE FERNS squad is a huge honour and it’s something I’ve been working towards for a while,” Kerr said.
“To be picked in a squad alongside Melie (Amelia) is pretty special. She’s inspired me a lot to get back into playing cricket competitively and push for higher honours.
“I’ve loved playing alongside her in the Blaze but to be representing our country together is even more special.”
WHITE FERNS ODI squad
Sophie Devine (c)
Suzie Bates
Bernadine Bezuidenhout
Lauren Down
Maddy Green
Holly Huddleston
Hayley Jensen
Leigh Kasperek
Amelia Kerr
Jess Kerr (potential debut)
Rosemary Mair
Katey Martin
Katie Perkins
Anna Peterson
Rachel Priest
Sophie Devine Quick Facts
WHITE FERNS debut in 2006 in a T20I vs Australia
102 ODIs and 83 T20Is
10 T20I half centuries
12 ODI half centuries
5 ODI centuries
80 T20I wickets
69 ODI wickets
Bowling average of 16.75 in T20I cricket
