Devine, Kerr, and Tahuhu recalled to New Zealand squad for Australia T20Is

Devine, Kerr, and Tahuhu Return as New Zealand Names Squad for Australia T20Is

Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu have been recalled to New Zealand's squad for the upcoming T20I series against Australia, which will conclude the 2024-25 home summer. Bella James also returns to the squad, led by Suzie Bates, while Izzy Gaze misses out due to injury, with Polly Inglis stepping in as her replacement.

Devine had been on a well-being break, which saw her miss the Super Smash, the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India, and New Zealand's home series against Sri Lanka. "It's nice to have had some time to reset and refocus, and I'm really looking forward to getting back out there with the girls," Devine said.

Amelia Kerr re-enters the international arena after helping Mumbai Indians secure the WPL title, where she claimed 18 wickets and won the Purple Cap. Meanwhile, Tahuhu has recovered from a grade-two hamstring tear sustained in December.

James, who had been sidelined with a quadriceps strain during the Sri Lanka series, has now passed her fitness tests and will join the squad in Auckland on Wednesday. She is yet to make her T20I debut.

Head coach Ben Sawyer expressed his excitement about the returning players. "We're stoked to have Soph, Melie, and Lea back for this series. They're three key players who bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the group."

Wicketkeeper-batter Gaze remains unavailable due to a hip-flexor sprain that kept her out of the Sri Lanka series. Inglis, her replacement, played all six matches against Sri Lanka, making her ODI and T20I debuts, but had limited opportunities with the bat in the T20Is.

Emma McLeod, Izzy Sharp, Flora Devonshire, and Bree Illing make way for the returning Devine, Kerr, and Tahuhu. The three-match T20I series will take place from March 21 to 26 in Auckland, Mount Maunganui, and Wellington.

New Zealand Squad:

Suzie Bates (capt), Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu.

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