Tahuhu loses NZC contract

A day after White Ferns’ most capped player and former skipper Amy Satterthwaite announced her international retirement following exclusion from the national contract, New Zealand Cricket have also dropped veteran speedster Lea Tahuhu among others from the 2022-23 contract list. 

The 2022-23 contract list features six new faces in the 17 member pool while Katey Martin, Ammy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu, Frankie Mackay, Wellington Blaze, Leigh Kasperek,  Thamsyn Newton among the notable absentees. The new entrants include Fran Jonas, Molly Pendorld, Nensi Patel and Eden Carson and Georgia Plimmer. 

As per NZC’s Master Agreement, the players have until June 3 to either accept or decline the offer.     

Acknowledging the harsh calls, NZC GM of High Performance Cricket, Bryan Stronach, said that it’s not necessarily the end of the road for the ones left out of the contract. 

“They have given their all; have made great sacrifices, and retain our absolute respect," he said.

"It's also important to emphasise that, just because someone hasn't received a national contract offer, it doesn't mean they cannot, or will not, be selected. This (national contracts) is about having on contract the players we're most likely to use during the next 12 month period," he added.

"It's never easy coming up with a final 17 players.

"Having said that, we're excited about the six new faces receiving contract offers, several of whom already have some White Ferns experience under their belt. To be in a position in which we're genuinely considering the credentials of a wider pool of players can only be viewed as a positive for the women's game.

Among the fresh faces to the list teenaged left-arm spinner Jonas was a part of New Zealand’s home world cup squad while Plimmer was a late injury replacement of Lauren Down. 

Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold have both spent a decent amount of time with the group and we hope they'll continue to develop and grow in the environment. Izzy Gaze joins Jess McFadyen as another wicket-keeping option and we look forward to those two working together to improve their skills.

"Georgia Plimmer was a late injury replacement in our World Cup squad last season, so has been around the group, while Nensi Patel and Eden Carson have both shone at domestic level."

Players offered central contracts for 2022-23: Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe