North-South T20 squads announced

Nensi Patel of Northern Districts
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The squads have been announced for the women’s North vs South T20 series which returns more than a decade after the competition was last delivered.

The three-match series at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln this weekend, has been reintroduced to provide greater playing opportunities for promising female players and will be delivered annually in line with the commitment made in last year’s Master Agreement.

Selection is based on performance at a domestic and international level and is part of an ongoing effort to develop a women’s A programme.

In terms of players from the Central Districts Major Association, which spans both the North and South Islands, players were selected based on their District Association affiliation.

New Zealand Cricket’s Head of High Performance Liz Green, who played in the last North v South tournament in 2010-11, said the re-establishment of the series will provide players with pivotal developmental opportunities.

“The return of this series is really exciting as it increases playing opportunities and reduces the gaps between our international and domestic programmes,” said Green.

“We know that increased playing opportunities are crucial for the development of our players, and we intend to grow the North v South series over the coming years to ensure talented players are given opportunities to advance.”

Previously, the women’s 2022-23 domestic season would have concluded last weekend after the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final.

NZC High Performance Coaches Sara McGlashan (North) and Dean Brownlie (South) will coach the squads.

North Squad

Bernadine Bezuidenhout (Northern Brave)

Rebecca Burns (Wellington Blaze)

Lauren Down (Auckland Hearts)

Izzy Gaze (Auckland Hearts)

Maddy Green (Wellington Blaze)

Brooke Halliday (Northern Brave)

Fran Jonas (Auckland Hearts)

Leigh Kasperek (Wellington Blaze)

Jess Kerr (Wellington Blaze)

Rosemary Mair (Central Hinds)

Jess McFadyen (Wellington Blaze)

Nensi Patel (Northern Brave)

Molly Penfold (Auckland Hearts)

Georgia Plimmer (Wellington Blaze)

Hannah Rowe (Central Hinds)

South Squad

Kate Anderson (Canterbury Magicians)

Sarah Asmussen (Canterbury Magicians)

Missy Banks (Canterbury Magicians)

Suzie Bates (Otago Sparks)

Emma Black (Otago Sparks)

Caitlin Blakely (Otago Sparks)

Eden Carson (Otago Sparks)

Kate Ebrahim (Otago Sparks)

Olivia Gain (Otago Sparks)

Claudia Green (Central Hinds)

Abigail Hotton (Canterbury Magicians)

Polly Inglis (Otago Sparks)

Bella James (Otago Sparks)

Felicity Leydon-Davis (Otago Sparks)

Gabby Sullivan (Canterbury Magicians)

White Ferns Sophie Devine and Melie Kerr were unavailable for selection as they’re playing the inaugural WPL, and Hayley Jensen is out with a knee injury sustained during the World Cup. Lea Tahuhu is unavailable due to a PSL exhibition match.