It will be business as usual for WHITE FERNS ROSEMARY MAIR and HANNAH ROWE in 2025/26.

Both Hinds stars were part of the national team's world champion T20 World Cup squad last year in India, and both have made the cut again in the 17-strong list of NZC-contracted WHITE FERNS for the next 12 months.

The NZC contractual year covers a period that will include the one-day version of the ICC Women's World Cup - coming up in India and Sri Lanka this year, as well as the defence of the T20 version later in 2026.

It's the first chance for the team to hold both pinnacle trophies at the same time, if they can emulate their 2024 heroics.

While it's business as usual for our two leading CENTRAL HINDS reps, two familiar faces are meanwhile missing from the NZC contracts list - Otago's Hayley Jensen having recently retired, and star captain Sophie Devine (Wellington Blaze) having opted for a casual playing contract, after yesterday signalling her decision to retire from One-Day International cricket after the forthcoming World Cup.

Replacing the pair on the annual list are left-arm swing bowler Bree Illing (21, Auckland Hearts) and Bella James (26, Otago Sparks), both of whom were ushered into the national team in recent times.

NZC Head of Women’s High Performance, CD Alumna LIZ GREEN said the contracting round was competitive. 

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“A big congratulations to all 17 players,” she said.

“We’re especially excited to welcome Bree and Bella onto the [NZC] contract list for the first time.

“Both thoroughly deserve their place, and we’re excited to see what they’re going to bring to the group in what promises to be a huge year for the WHITE FERNS, with ODI and T20 World Cups within the contract period.”

The retention of both Mair and Rowe on the NZC contracts list is good news for their Hinds teammates looking to be contracted at the next level down, with 13 contracted roster spots permitted per Major Association team.

The retirement of captain MIKAELA GREIG at the end of last summer means at least one of those spots has become available.

Female Domestic contracts will be announced in July.

NZC CONTRACTED PLAYERS

2025/26

Central Districts (2)

Hannah Rowe

Rosemary Mair

Auckland (7)

Lauren Down

Izzy Gaze

Maddy Green

Brooke Halliday

Bree Illing - new

Fran Jonas

Molly Penfold

Wellington (4)

Jess Kerr

Melie Kerr

Georgia Plimmer

Canterbury (1)

Lea Tahuhu

Otago (4)

Suzie Bates

Eden Carson

Polly Inglis

Bella James - new

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Article added: Wednesday 18 June 2025