CAPTAIN ROWEY TO HELM HINDS
The Central Hinds have appointed a new captain as they head into the first two matches of the season, the national one-day Hallyburton Johnstone Shield starting this Saturday and Sunday at Pukekura Park.
Hannah Rowe is no stranger to the leadership job, having co-captained the team in the T20 format in previous seasons, but it’s the first time the contracted WHITE FERN has stepped up solo and full-time into the chief role.
Now 29, Rowe’s represented the team since she was at Palmerston North Girls’ High School and brings invaluable experience and acumen to an essentially youthful squad.
One of only four all-time Hinds to have played more than 100 one-dayers for the team, Rowe's the top wicket-taker with 122 victims in the one-day format since her 2014/15 debut.
Rowe is one of two contracted WHITE FERNS in the Hinds' squad | PHOTOSPORT
Rowe inherits the captaincy from friend and longtime Manawatū and Hinds teammate Mikaela Franks (née Greig), who retired after last season.
The Hinds finished third, just two points outside the Final in last summer’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and it’s traditionally been their strongest format — they lifted the history-laden wooden trophy under Anlo van Deventer in 2019.
Rowe says having all their first six games this summer at home venues — the first two in New Plymouth this weekend; the following four in Palmerston North — is a great opportunity for the team to start strong again this season.
“I think whenever you know you're going to have home supporters, and you’re playing at venues you really know well, it's always cool,” she says.
"Hopefully we can start the season off well in these two games against the Canterbury Magicians.”
The Hinds' all-time top wicket-taker | PHOTOSPORT
After a loyal decade in the green, she’s also genuinely excited to be captaining the team in both formats this summer — and for the team simply to be together again on the park.
“The Hinds have a decentralised system, it means that we aren't always together. So when we do come together for trainings or for games, it's always a really special time.
“Everyone's genuine friends.
"We’ve always connected a lot as a unit, and I think that is expressed when we play our cricket with a lot of enjoyment.”
The squad has already had one trip away this summer, winning both their T20 matches in Taupō (against Northern Districts and Wellington Blaze) before weather washed out the rest of the annual preseason tournament.
It was an encouraging start for a rejuvenated squad that’s lost not only Franks, but veteran allrounder Thamysn Newton — who also retired after last season; while an injury to former skipper Natalie Dodd ruled out the possibility of a comeback this season, after having taken the previous season off for motherhood.
Cate Pedersen | PHOTOSPORT
On the flipside, 23-year-old batter Cate Pedersen has come back from Auckland, and strong 19-year-old Abby Treder is now a contracted player for the first time.
“So we've got a reasonably new bunch,” says Rowe, “and a really young group, so yeah, it'll be good.
“When a group of girls come into an environment together, they've got each other to bounce ideas off and they tend to feed off each other’s energy, and for the older, more experienced playing group, it's always refreshing to have new girls come in and bring new ideas.
“It'll be cool to see what this grows into — what our new identity, I guess, looks like.”
It was only a couple of years ago that left-handed asset Flora Devonshire, 22, was one of those young team rookies on a contract for the first time; now she’s already a capped WHITE FERN. Ditto 19-year-old Emma McLeod.
Rising allrounder Flora Devonshire | PHOTOSPORT
Devonshire particularly impressed in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield last season and starred in a terrific win against Northern Districts at Pukekura Park where the first round is set to begin this Saturday at 10.30am.
Yes, it was frustrating missing out on the “HBJ” Final again last season — the Hinds have often been in frame, only to be pipped at the post by the top two or, as happened two seasons ago, the worst run of weather imaginable.
“So we’re hoping for a nice, dry, summery summer!
"We've said that before, you know, and had rain, so hopefully we can start the season with some nice weather, and just get some runs on the board and get going.”
Devonshire captained the Hinds in Taupō while Rowe was away with the WHITE FERNS - after she had replaced the then-injured Devonshire at the World Cup, and will be Rowe’s vice-captain for the campaign and season.
Rowe will also have senior support from the likes of Kerry Tomlinson — who has 159 List A one-day caps for various teams, with WHITE FERNS star Rosemary Mair and Claudia Green helping to marshall the attack.
“I'll definitely be leaning on a lot of our senior players to help me out,” says Rowe, while returning Head Coach Deepak Joon provides the day-to-day and structural support.
“I've had a bit of experience having captained already a few times, and in being involved in the Hinds leadership group, but it's a cool new opportunity to be able to take the captaincy reins on for the summer."
Admission at Pukekura Park on Saturday and Sunday is free, with a free livestream both days here at cdcricket.co.nz and behind-the-scenes coverage on Central Hinds Instagram.
2025/26 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield
Central Hinds v Canterbury Magicians
Round 1: 10.30am Saturday 15 November 2025
Round 2: 10.30am Sunday 16 November 2025
Pukekura Park | New Plymouth
FREE ADMISSION
HANNAH Rowe - captain, Manawatū
FLORA Devonshire - vice-captain, Hawke's Bay
GEORGIA Atkinson - Wairarapa
OCEAN Bartlett - Wairarapa
KATE Gaging - wicketkeeper, Nelson
CLAUDIA Green - Nelson
ASHTUTI Kumar - Manawatū
EMMA McLeod - Wairarapa
ROSEMARY Mair - Hawke's Bay
JESS Ogden - Manawatū
CATE Pedersen - Hawke's Bay
KERRY Tomlinson - Taranaki
Livescores | www.cdcricket.co.nz
Article added: Friday 14 November 2025
