Rosemary Mair returns to NZ World T20 Squad

New Zealand will be bolstered by the return of pacer Rosemary Mair for the women’s World T20 League 2024 after she sustained a back injury during their home series against England in March. Meanwhile, their skipper Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are set to represent White Ferns at the marquee event for the ninth time when the competition commences in the UAE in October. 

 This implies the two would have played in each edition of the World T20 League. 

Mair, who has 18 scalps from 24 matches, will strengthen a pace attack comprising the veteran Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold. At the same time, Brooke Halliday and Bates are also alternatives as fast-bowling all-rounders. The spin bowling prowess includes Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Fran Jonas and Eden Carson. 

It’s a largely experienced unit, with wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze the only player not to have played in the World T20 League before. 

"I'm pleased with this squad; I think these are our best 15 players to adapt to what will likely be varied conditions," NZ head coach Ben Sawyer said. "Soph [Devine] and Suze [Bates] have a huge amount of tournament experience from World T20 Leagues to franchise leagues, so we'll certainly be leaning on that knowledge in what's going to be a pretty intense competition.

"Rosemary's had an unfortunate run with injury over the past few months, and she's worked hard to be fit for this tournament. She's proved herself as one of our key pace options and we're excited she's returning."

NZ will also turn Australia for three T20Is in the lead-up to the World T20 League, with the same squad set to partake in the games on September 19, 22 and 24 in Mackay and Brisbane. 

They then compete in warm-up games against South Africa and England on September 29 and October 1, respectively, before the start of the showpiece event proper, where they take the field against India in their inaugural match on October 4. Besides India, those in the White Ferns group include Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

The upcoming World T20 League will be Devine’s last assignment as NZ’s T20I skipper. 

New Zealand squad for Women’s World T20 League 2024: 

Sophie Devine (capt), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu