Follow UsReigning T20 World Cup champions, New Zealand Women have made a bold move in their quest to win their second ODI World Cup. The White Ferns have added four young players to their ODI World Cup 2025 squad. These women will play, if they get a chance to, their first ever World Cup.
Among the players receiving maiden World Cup calls are all-rounder Flora Devonshire, Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis, versatile batter Bella James and left-arm seamer Bree Illing.
These call-ups meant that spinner Fran Jonas, one of the integral members of the squad that won the T20 World Cup in Dubai in 2024. Apart from her, the core team played the final against the South Africa women, have stayed on.
Speaking on the occasion, head coach Ben Sawyer said that this is the best prepared squad heading into a world event in his tenure.
"I can honestly say that in the four world events I've been part of with this group, we are the best prepared we've ever been. Having no international cricket in our calendar since April has given us the ability to work really hard on our physical skills in particular, which is something that could be the difference in India,” he said.
Talking about the players that have got maiden call-up Sawyer said, "Bree puts batters under pressure early with her swing and has great ability with the new ball. Her and Flora have both shown they can consistently bring the stumps into play, which will be effective in the conditions we're going to face.”
"Flora's got an attacking mind and skillset with the bat, which is valuable down the order. Bella's a versatile batter who can hit 360 degrees around the ground and can bat in most places in the line up. Polly gives us another option with the gloves within the squad, and she possesses great grit and determination,” he added.
The White Ferns will begin their World Cup campaign against neighbours Australia on October 1 in Indore.
New Zealand for Women's ODI World Cup
Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu