Central Hinds ROSEMARY MAIR and HANNAH ROWE remain ranked among the top 17 female cricketers in the country with news from NZC today that their respective WHITE FERNS contract offers have been renewed for another 12 months.

With plenty of experience in the national squad, the pace bowling pair slots into a proposed 2024/25 contracted roster that brings few surprises - other than a first-time contract offer for well performed Otago Sparks wicketkeeper-batter, Polly Inglis.

Hannah Rowe | PHOTOSPORT

Auckland Hearts veteran batter Lauren Down took last summer off for maternity, and returns now to the contracted list - with Inglis and Down replacing recently retired Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Canterbury Magicians batter Kate Anderson who appears to have lost her spot to a more experienced performer in Down.

All players offered contracts now have a week to sign on the dotted line, with the annual contractual period beginning as usual at the start of August.

WHITE FERNS Head Coach Ben Sawyer believes NZC has landed on a strong list of 17 players. He says, "We think [tese players] are going to play an important part over the next 12 months.

“It’s a familiar group, made up of experienced and younger players whom we believe are going to drive this team forward.”

Rosemary Mair | PHOTOSPORT

Sawyer said planning for the next ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup (one-day cricket) was a key selection focus. 

“A big part of the selection process this year was looking at who could take part in the 2025 ODI World Cup.”

Sawyer said uncapped Inglis’s Domestic and New Zealand A performances made her the first pick for a back-up wicketkeeper.

Polly Inglis | PHOTOSPORT

“Polly’s had a great Domestic season with both bat and gloves, and for that she’s been rewarded with a contract.

“Izzy Gaze at the moment is our number one keeper in both formats, and she deserves that spot, but we need a back-up keeper.

"We’ve spoken to Polly about that, and she’s forced her way into this group.”

Hannah Rowe is getting ready to depart for England with the rest of the WHITE FERNS this Thursday - a squad that also includes Central Hind MIKAELA GREIG.

A contract renewal meanwhile brings rosier news at last for Rosemary Mair whose back injury will see her sadly miss the England tour.

Central Hinds Domestic contracts will be announced at a later date.

2024/25 contract offers

[ alphabetical order ]

Suzie Bates - Otago Sparks

Eden Carson - Otago Sparks

Sophie Devine - Wellington Blaze

Lauren Down - Auckland Hearts

Izzy Gaze - Auckland Hearts

Maddy Green - Auckland Hearts

Brooke Halliday - Auckland Hearts

Polly Inglis - Otago Sparks

Hayley Jensen - Otago Sparks

Fran Jonas - Auckland Hearts

Jess Kerr - Wellington Blaze

Melie Kerr - Wellington Blaze

Rosemary Mair - Central Hinds

Molly Penfold - Auckland Hearts

Georgia Plimmer - Wellington Blaze

Hannah Rowe - Central Hinds

Lea Tahuhu - Canterbury Magicians

Article added: Tuesday 11 June 2024

Author: Margot Butcher

All images: Photosport | Published under licence