A 15-strong New Zealand A squad comprising a host of emerging talent will head to Sri Lanka this week for three one-day matches and three T20s in Dambulla.
This will be the first women’s New Zealand A tour to Asia providing the opportunity to test the next best women’s cricketers in subcontinent conditions.
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The squad features seven players with WHITE FERNS experience in Northern Brave’s Kayley Knight and Jess Watkin, Auckland Hearts’ Bella Armstrong and Fran Jonas, Central Hinds’ Hannah Rowe, Canterbury Magicians Kate Anderson, and Otago Sparks’ Bella James.
Top-order batter Anderson was recently awarded the Ruth Martin Cup for domestic batting at the ANZ NZC Awards after making 776 runs across the season, including 560 at an average of 70 in the Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield.
Auckland Hearts’ Prue Catton will join Anderson in the batting department after playing a crucial role in the Hearts Super Smash campaign and finishing the competition as one of the top run scorers.
Wellington Blaze off-spinner Xara Jetly, the second-highest wicket-taker in both the domestic one-day and T20 competitions, has earned her maiden New Zealand A call up after claiming 35 wickets for the Blaze this summer, including career-best List A figures of 6-39.
Northern Brave pace-bowler Marama Downes finished second-equal to Jetly in the Super Smash leading wicket-taking chart also earning herself a maiden New Zealand A call up.
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Otago Sparks seamer Emma Black adds her domestic experience to the pace bowling ranks off the back of another memorable season where she led the HBJ Shield wicket-taking charts with 21 wickets.
New Zealand ‘A’ squad to Sri Lanka
- Kate Anderson Canterbury Magicians
- Bella Armstrong* Auckland Hearts
- Emma Black Otago Sparks
- Prue Catton Auckland Hearts
- Marama Downes* Northern Brave
- Kate Gaging* Central Hinds
- Fran Jonas Auckland Hearts
- Bella James Otago Sparks
- Xara Jetly* Wellington Blaze
- Kayley Knight* Northern Brave
- Darcy Prasad* Canterbury Magicians
- Hannah Rowe Central Hinds
- Tash Wakelin* Northern Brave
- Jess Watkin Northern Brave
- PJ Watkins* Otago Sparks
*Potential NZ A debut
Canterbury men’s assistant coach Brendon Donkers will lead the coaching unit, alongside Northern Brave Women’s head coach Peter Borren, and NZC pathway coach Sara McGlashan.
NZC head of women’s high performance Liz Green said it was a busy winter for New Zealand’s top female talent.
“Sri Lanka’s going to be a really exciting tour for this group of talented athletes,” said Green.
“We know playing opportunities are crucial for player development so it’s really pleasing to know we’ll have 15 players in England with the WHITE FERNS and 15 players in Sri Lanka with New Zealand A, all at the same time.
“That’s a lot of cricket and hopefully a lot of growth.”
Green said the tour would allow players to test their skills in foreign conditions.
“Many of this group haven’t experienced subcontinent conditions yet so they’re set for a good challenge with plenty of learning opportunities.”
Green said selecting the New Zealand A squad wasn’t easy.
“The selection process was one of the most competitive to date.
“There were a number of impressive performers we saw this summer which gave us a lot to think about.
“There’s varying levels of experience in this squad and they’ve all shown skills consistent with what’s needed at the international level so it should make for an exciting series.”
The squad depart to Sri Lanka on May 7 ahead of their first One Day match in Dambulla on May 12.
