Central Districts Cricket is delighted to congratulate our CENTRAL HINDS pace duo HANNAH ROWE and ROSEMARY MAIR on their selection today to the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team for Birmingham 2022.

Whilst the BLACKCAPS have previously competed at Commonwealth Games level (claiming the bronze medal in Kuala Lumpur, 1998 when the event was played in the 50-over format by men only), the Birmingham Games marks the WHITE FERNS' Commonwealth Games debut - as well as the first appearance of T20.

The sporting spectacle will also have its largest ever female representation of any Commonwealth Games, with 133 medals in men's events and 135 in women's events.

The Commonwealth Games squad | PHOTOSPORT

After an exodus of senior stars, the fresh-look WHITE FERNS will be chasing a podium finish with a 15-strong squad that features a new coach and several uncapped young players - while the more experienced Rowe and Mair are poised to shoulder more responsibility in the bowling attack in the absence of Lea Tahuhu.

Impressive young Otago Sparks offspinner Eden Carson and emerging Auckland Hearts wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze were contracted to the WHITE FERNS last week, despite having yet to represent their country, and have now been included in a WHITE FERNS squad the first time.

Rosemary Mair | PHOTOSPORT

Hearts left-arm spinner Fran Jonas and Wellington Blaze batter Georgia Plimmer are also set for their first overseas tours with the team, while Jess McFadyen - now the senior wicketkeeper - is also yet to make her international debut. McFadyen toured England with the WHITE FERNS last year although, alongside  CLAUDIA GREEN, did not get an international start on tour.

Bringing the experience to the table is powerhouse captain Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Melie Kerr, Maddy Green, Hayley Jensen and Rowe - who will head to Birmingham with 41 ODIs and 25 T20is under her belt, and 55 wickets across both formats.

Rowe also took her maiden ODI five-for during the recent one-day ICC Women's World Cup in New Zealand.

Hannah Rowe | PHOTOSPORT

NZC chief executive David White said it was a huge honour for cricket to be part of the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s a terrific time for cricket to be back at the Commonwealth Games – and it’s another excellent development for the women’s and girl’s game, both here and around the world,” he said.

“I’m sure the players are going to love the experience of being part of a wider New Zealand team, and the slightly different context of the Games environment.”

New WHITE FERNS coach Ben Sawyer joins incumbent captain Sophie Devine | PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Nicki Nicol extended her congratulations to the squad.

“This is an historic occasion with women’s T20 cricket debuting at the Games,” said Nicol.

“We’re thrilled to be taking this team with us to Birmingham and we can’t wait to watch them kick off a proud legacy for women’s cricket at the Games.”

The naming takes the total number of athletes currently selected to the New Zealand Team for Birmingham 2022 to 95.

The XXII Commonwealth Games begin with the opening ceremony on Thursday, 28 July 2022 and run for two weeks, with more than 5000 sportspeople from across the globe set to compete.

CD Cricket congratulates all those selected.

New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team

Sophie Devine - captain - Wellington Blaze

ROSEMARY MAIR - Central Hinds

HANNAH ROWE - Central Hinds

Suzie Bates - Otago Sparks

Eden Carson - Otago Sparks

Lauren Down - Auckland Hearts

Izzy Gaze - wicketkeeper - Auckland Hearts

Maddy Green - Wellington Blaze

Brooke Halliday - Northern Brave

Hayley Jensen - Otago Sparks

Fran Jonas - Auckland Hearts

Jess Kerr - Wellington Blaze

Melie Kerr - Wellington Blaze

Jess McFadyen - wicketkeeper - Wellington Blaze

Georgia Plimmer - Wellington Blaze

Fixtures (NZ time)

Saturday, July 30, 10pm v South Africa, Edgbaston

Wednesday, August 3, 5am v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston

Thursday, August 4, 5am v England, Edgbaston

Saturday, August 6, 10pm or Sunday, August 7, 5am Semi-finals (if qualified)

Sunday, August 7, 9pm or Monday, August 8, 4am: Medal matches (if qualified)

Article added: Wednesday 08 June 2022