New Zealand’s women’s cricket team has announced its squad for the upcoming five-match T20I and three-match ODI series against England at home. The squad features the return of seamer Rosemary Mair and batter Brooke Halliday, who missed the recent series against Pakistan due to injury.
Mair, who last played for New Zealand in August 2022, has been rewarded for her impressive performances in the Super Smash, New Zealand’s domestic T20 tournament. She was the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps, including a memorable 4 for 5 in the final.
Halliday, who has been out with a foot injury, made a successful return to action in the Super Smash, scoring 108 in a List A game against Canterbury. Her inclusion in the squad is a boost for New Zealand, as she is a key member of the batting lineup.
Offspinner Leigh Kasperek has also been included in the squad for the last two T20Is. Kasperek played a crucial role in Wellington’s Super Smash triumph, picking up 17 wickets at an economy of 5.38.
The tour will begin with two warm-up T20s in Queenstown on March 10 and 12, followed by the first T20I in Dunedin on March 19. Three standby players will be named closer to the series to cover for Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, or Lea Tahuhu, who are currently playing in the Women’s Premier League in India.
New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed his satisfaction with the squad selection, particularly highlighting Mair’s progress and Kasperek’s consistency. He also noted that Georgia Plimmer will only be available for the ODIs, while Eden Carson will play in the first three T20Is and also feature for New Zealand A in the corresponding series against England A.
