Georgia Plimmer and Flora Devonshire recover from injuries as New Zealand women’s national cricket team prepare for five-match T20I series against South Africa women’s national cricket team

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The New Zealand women’s national cricket team have received a major boost ahead of their five-match T20I series against the South Africa women’s national cricket team, with experienced players Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu returning to the squad.

Devine, who is currently on a casual contract with New Zealand Cricket, missed the previous series against the Zimbabwe women’s national cricket team. Meanwhile, veteran batter Bates had been sidelined due to a quadricep injury but has now regained fitness ahead of the South Africa series.

Fast bowler Tahuhu, who recently announced her retirement from ODI cricket, was rested during the previous series as part of her physical preparation plan for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. She will be available for selection only for the final three matches of the series.

Head coach Ben Sawyer said the return of Devine and Bates adds experience and leadership to the squad. According to him, their influence both on and off the field plays a vital role in maintaining the team’s culture while integrating younger players.

Opening batter Georgia Plimmer has also returned after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Plimmer and Bates are expected to continue as the opening pair for New Zealand as the team builds momentum ahead of the global tournament.

Allrounder Flora Devonshire has recovered from a broken finger and is also back in the squad. The 23-year-old left-arm spin-bowling allrounder made her T20I debut last year and will be available for selection in the final three matches of the series.

Devonshire provides additional balance to the team as one of the few left-handed batters in the squad alongside Brooke Halliday, who recently scored her maiden international century against Zimbabwe.

The five-match T20I series between New Zealand and South Africa will begin on March 15 at Bay Oval in Tauranga. The matches will be played as double-headers with the men’s teams, adding more excitement for fans.

This will also be the second T20I series under the full-time captaincy of Amelia Kerr, as the White Ferns continue their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

New Zealand Women T20I Squad vs South Africa

Amelia Kerr (capt), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire (last three T20Is only), Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing (first two T20Is only), Polly Inglis (first two T20Is only), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu (last three T20Is only).