The New Zealand Women’s squad for the three-ODI series against England and Wales, which kicks off on May 10, has been announced. Melie Kerr, who became full-time captain in February, will captain the team. The team includes seasoned players and newcomers, with four players embarking on their first senior international tour.
The series will be played across three venues — Durham on May 10, Northampton on May 13, and Cardiff on May 16. The squad departed for England later this week and will play a warm-up match against the ECB Development XI on May 6 before the series begins.
Four Players to Make First Overseas Tour
Spin-bowling all-rounders Flora Devonshire and Nensi Patel, along with batters Emma McLeod and Izzy Sharp, have all been included in the squad and will make their senior overseas tour debuts with this trip to England.
The four women played in New Zealand’s home ODI series victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa earlier this year. Devonshire’s journey to the squad has been a long one. She was originally drafted for the 2025 International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s Cricket World Cup, but returned home after injuring her finger in training. The left-arm spinner then played her first ODI in Christchurch against South Africa in March and has been performing well to secure her spot in the touring squad.
Head coach Ben Sawyer expressed confidence in the group. He said the squad had exciting young talent alongside a core group of experienced campaigners, adding that the younger players had already shown they have what it takes at the international level during the home summer.
Suzie Bates to Play Final ODIs Before Retirement
Suzie Bates, who is a legendary cricketer and a veteran batter, will be in this squad for what will be the final chapter of an illustrious international career. Bates revealed last week that she intends to retire from the international game at the end of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Her 181-match ODI career will conclude with the England ODIs. Joining Bates on the team are veteran players Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday, who will provide a solid foundation to support the younger players as they adapt to international conditions.
Bates has been a stalwart of the New Zealand Women’s team for more than 10 years, and her retirement will mark the end of one of the finest careers in the women’s game.
SUGGESTED READ: Suzie Bates Confirms Retirement Plans, Chases One Last World Cup Title
England Test Expected to Challenge New Zealand
Head coach Sawyer made clear that England will not be an easy opponent on home soil. He described them as a tough side in their own conditions and said the series presents a strong opportunity for New Zealand to test where they stand heading into a busy international period.
New Zealand come into the tour on the back of a positive home summer, and Sawyer believes that momentum should give the squad confidence. England were semi-finalists at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, making them a genuine test of New Zealand’s progress as a group.
The squad for the T20 leg of the series, as well as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, is set to be announced on Wednesday, April 29.
Full Squad
Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Emma McLeod, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp
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