All-rounder Sophie Devine has been selected as the skipper of the New Zealand Women’s cricket team, taking over from Amy Satterthwaite ahead of the expected South Africa team which fills in as a development to the T20 World Cup. Devine, 30, will be the third player to captain the White Ferns over the recent year and a half, after Suzie Bates and Satterthwaite. While Bates resigned in September 2018, Satterthwaite is on a break in as she is expecting her first kid.
Devine announced as captain:
“It’s something that you kind of dream of, isn’t it?” Devine said on Thursday (January 16) after she was revealed as captain by New Zealand Cricket. “I didn’t figure it would occur during my cricket career. I simply need to keep on expanding on the fabulous work that both Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite have gotten tied up with the side and truly driving the way of life behind the group.
“It’s an energizing time for ladies’ cricket in this nation with the as of late marked MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with NZC, a crisp bearing with our new mentor Bob Carter, and two ICC World Cups not too far off. We have a decent blend of ability and involvement with the gathering, and I’m anticipating inclining toward my kindred senior players to attempt to expand on the great work done by Amy and Suzie Bates.”
“We’ve been truly frustrated with the last couple of World Cup exhibitions,” she said. “We’ve got a great deal of work to do; to win the World Cup and bring it home.”
Devine starred in the WBBL with the Adelaide Strikers toward the end of last year, completing it as the player of the competition by scoring an aggregate of 769 runs in 16 matches at a striking pace of 130.33. She additionally took 19 wickets through the season and hit 50 runs and took a fifer in a game. She had a good outing in the Super Smash for Wellington Blaze, scoring 315 runs at an average of 52.50 and a strike rate of 177.96, which includes her highest of 112.
A veteran of 102 ODIs and 83 T20Is, Devine had been tipped for the job since her school days. New Zealand’s lead coach Bob Carter is sure the group was in entirely proficient hands heading into the T20 and 50-over World Cups of 2020 and 2021 individually.
“I’m exceptionally sure that Sophie will work admirably,” Carter said. “Take a gander at how incredible a player she is. Sophie’s been an extraordinary entertainer for the White Ferns for over 10 years now, and we feel she’s prepared to step up and lead this group. She has a sound comprehension of the game and, in particular, holds the regard of her kindred players. We accept the initiative can take her game to a significantly more elevated level.”
Rachel Priest returns; Jess Kerr gets call-up
New Zealand additionally invited veteran manager bat, Rachel Priest, into their squad for the series against South Africa. Cleric, who was dropped after a poor World Cup in 2017, got a call-up with her showing in T20 matches and impressed in the Super Smash competition up until this point, smashing 305 runs at a strike-rate of 133.18.
Coming back to the squad is player Lauren Down while 21-year-old all-rounder Jess Kerr has got a call-up after a great domestic season with the ball.
“To be chosen in my first White Ferns squad is colossal respect and it’s something I’ve been progressing in the direction of for some time,” Jess Kerr said. “To be picked in a squad close by ‘Melie’ (Amelia) is entirely exceptional. She’s motivated me a great deal to get once again into playing cricket aggressively and push for higher distinctions. I’ve cherished playing close by her in the Blaze, yet to speak to our nation together is much progressively extraordinary.”
New Zealand will play three ODIs and five T20Is against South Africa starting on January 25 at Eden Park in Auckland.
