Amelia Kerr of New Zealand during the 2nd T20 International New Zealand V Pakistan, Suzie Bates Oval, Dunedin, New Zealand, 5th December 2023. Copyright photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2023 www.photosport.nz
Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine will miss the opening match of the T20 international series against England at the University of Otago Oval on Tuesday.
Kerr's Mumbai Indians were eliminated from the WPL by Devine's Royal Challenger's Bangalore yesterday morning but travel complications from India mean Kerr won't return to New Zealand in time to feature in the opening T20I.
She will be available for the second match at Saxton Oval on Friday, and it is expected that Devine, who will depart India immediately after the WPL final tomorrow morning will also be available to join her.
Wellington Blaze batter Georgia Plimmer has been called in to the squad as a replacement and a second player from the New Zealand A squad will also be selected following today's second T20 against England A in Queenstown.
Plimmer featured in New Zealand A's defeat to England A yesterday and will take part in the second T20 today, before assembling with the team in Dunedin this evening.
White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer said Devine and Kerr's late return to the squad provided an opportunity to build depth.
"It's obviously disappointing not to have Melie or Sophie with us for the series opener," Sawyer said.
Amelia Kerr of Mumbai Indians (R) plays a shot during the Women's Premier League (WPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on February 25, 2024. (Photo by Idrees MOHAMMED / AFP) Photo: IDREES MOHAMMED
"We've known that this could be the case for some time now, so we've made plans for all scenarios and the positive is that it gives other players an opportunity to test themselves against a strong England side.
Sawyer said Plimmer was a strong addition to the squad for the opening game against England.
"Georgia has been a regular part of our group for some time now and she'll be involved in the ODIs - so we have full confidence she can come in and contribute in the opening T20.
The absence of Devine and Kerr means that Suzie Bates will captain the side in the series opener in Dunedin.
White Ferns squad - 1st T20I v England - Suzie Bates (c) Eden Carson (Otago Sparks) Bernadine Bezuidenhout (Northern Brave), Izzy Gaze (Auckland Hearts), Maddy Green (Auckland Hearts), Brooke Halliday (Auckland Hearts), Fran Jonas (Auckland Hearts), Jess Kerr (Wellington Blaze), Rosemary Mair (Central Hinds), Georgia Plimmer (Wellington Blaze), Hannah Rowe (Central Hinds), Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury Magicians).
