“We’re really excited to welcome back Suzie and Sophie for this next block of games,” head coach Ben Sawyer said in a NZC release. “Their quality on the field really does speak for itself but what they bring to the group culturally is really important for us as a team. I’m looking forward to having them mix in with some of the newer members of the squad.”
“It was unfortunate to have Georgia miss out on most of the Zimbabwe series with her shoulder, so the whole group is glad to have her back,” Sawyer said. “Her role at the top of the order is a key one and it’ll be great to have her back as we continue to build toward that World Cup later in the year.”
Devonshire, like Tahuhu, will be available for selection only for the last three T20Is, while left-arm quick Bree Illing and wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis have been picked for just the first two matches.
“Flora had a couple of back-to-back injuries that has kept her out of the squad for the last little while which is never nice as a player,” Sawyer said. “It’s really pleasing to be able to have her back in the group, fit and firing for when we need her.”
New Zealand and South Africa will play five T20Is as a double-header with the respective men’s teams playing the night games starting March 15 at Bay Oval in Tauranga. This is the second T20I series for New Zealand under Kerr as full-time captain.
New Zealand 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)