Rosemary Mair returns to White Ferns for challenging T20 Women’s World Cup

NZ Cricket has announced a 15-strong White Ferns squad for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, highlighted by Rosemary Mair’s return from injury.

The Central Hinds pace bowler sustained a back injury during last summer’s home series against England. Mair has been determined to return to fitness and build upon the excellent bowling form shown in the 2023-24 Super Smash, where the 25-year-old bowled 4/5 in a losing Grand Final effort against the Wellington Blaze.

“Rosemary’s had an unfortunate run with injury over the past few months and she’s worked hard to be fit for this tournament,” White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer said in an NZC statement.

“She’s proved herself as one of our key pace options and we’re excited she’s returning.”

The biennial tournament is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after it was moved away from original hosts Bangladesh due to civil unrest in the region. New Zealand will compete in a loaded Group A against Australia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates - two of NZ women’s cricket’s greatest servants - will play in their ninth T20 World Cup, their first dating back to the inaugural 2009 tournament, where NZ finished undefeated in Group A and lost in the final by six wickets to hosts England.

The White Ferns will be looking to improve upon their performance in the most recent T20 World Cup, finishing third in the group stage behind Australia and hosts South Africa and failing to reach the knockout stage.

Sawyer hopes Devine and Bates’ depth of knowledge at the top level will give his side an advantage.

“Soph and Suze have a huge amount of tournament experience from World Cups to franchise leagues, so we’ll certainly be leaning on that knowledge in what’s going to be a pretty intense competition,” the White Ferns coach said.

Expecting spin-friendly conditions, New Zealand’s bowling attack features Wellington off-spinner Leigh Kasperek in her fourth T20 World Cup, alongside Melie Kerr, Fran Jonas and Eden Carson.

The only player in the squad without prior T20 World Cup experience is wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze, who takes over the gloves from Bernadine Bezuidenhout.

Sawyer’s coaching group is made up of batting coach Dean Brownlie and assistant coach Craig McMillan, plus Paul Wiseman who will be joining as a spin-bowling coach.

The White Ferns will play two warm-up matches against South Africa and England, who are in Group B with Bangladesh, Scotland and the West Indies.

The NZ side is also set to embark on a three-match T20 series in Australia against the defending World Champions from September 19.

White Ferns T20 World Cup squad:

Sophie Devine (C), 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.

White Ferns T20 World Cup schedule:
Saturday, October 5 – NZ v India, 3am at Dubai International Stadium
Wednesday, October 9 – NZ v Australia, 3am at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday, October 12 – NZ v Sri Lanka, 11pm at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Tuesday, October 15 – NZ v Pakistan, 3am at Dubai International Stadium

All times are in NZ time.