NEWS
Follow UsNew Zealand have welcomed back wicketkeeper-batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout in the White Ferns 15-player setup for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. On the other hand, Jess McFadyen who was part of the series against Bangladesh misses out.
The wicket-keeper batter last represented the national team in the ODI series way back in January 2020, against South Africa. Bezuidenhout returns on the back of an impressive domestic display, where she scored her second List-A hundred.
"For the past seven or eight months we've been looking to establish a brand of cricket which we believe spectators will enjoy and, at the same time, gives us the best possible chance of success in major tournaments," head coach Ben Sawyer said.
"With both the bat in hand and her work behind the stumps, we believe that Bernie will contribute positively to that style of play. Bernie has already shown this season what she can do with both bat and gloves, and we think that her previous international experience will stand her in good stead in this World Cup.”
Sophie Devine, who missed a few clashes in the Super Smash is fully fit to lead the side, with Fran Jonas too being named in the senior women’s squad.
"We're really happy with how the side is shaping up heading into this World Cup," Sawyer further said. "We speak a lot about roles and matchups in our side, and I believe that we have a lot of quality options to cover all that will be thrown up against us in South Africa.
"We're excited to get over there and get started on what will hopefully be a successful campaign."
The White Ferns’ T20 World Cup campaign kicks off against cross-country rivals, Australia on February 12.
