New Zealand Women have named a 16-member squad for the upcoming tour of England. All-rounder Amelia Kerr has opted out of the entire tour to prioritize her mental health. Jess McFadyen and Claudia Green are the uncapped players who have been handed maiden call-ups.
Kerr admitted that she loves playing for the White Ferns, but her mental health is her first priority at the moment.
Sophie Devine completely backed Kerr and the decision she made to take a break. The White Ferns skipper admitted that the bubbles can get tough and the players need to be looked after well. She was also thankful for the support they’ve received from New Zealand Cricket and CPA.
“We’re really fortunate we have great support around us from both New Zealand Cricket and the CPA.
It’s important we talk openly about it because it can get tough, and we need to ensure our players, teammates and friends are looked after.
We’re all wrapping around Melie and know she’ll make a comeback when she’s ready,”
Sophie Devine said in support of Kerr.
New Zealand women’s coach Bob Carter echoed Devine’s thoughts and feels the all-rounder showed ‘a lot of courage’. He looks forward to Kerr returning back in action whenever she feels the time is right.
“Player welfare is paramount, particularly in today’s environment. It’s important to respect the needs of the athletes. Amelia has shown a lot of courage in making this decision, and I look forward to her return to the White Ferns when the time is right,”
Carter added.
The 16-women squad has a couple of uncapped cricketers as the selectors handed out maiden call-ups to wicket-keeper Jess McFadyen and pacer Claudia Green. Sophie Devine will lead the side as New Zealand are scheduled to play three T20Is and five ODIs in the month of September.
McFadyen amassed 397 runs at an average of 49.62 in the Women’s Domestic One-Day Competition in New Zealand in the 2020-21 season. Meanwhile, Green took nine wickets in the T20 and 50-over tournaments. Moreover, she returned with figures of 5/56 while playing for New Zealand XI against England in a warm-up fixture at home earlier this year.
The team is scheduled to leave for the United Kingdom on the 13th of August. The tour kicks off with the three-match T20I series, and the first one will be played on the 1st of September in Chelmsford. Meanwhile, the five-match ODI series will start on the 16th of September.
NZ Women Tour of England 2021 Schedule
| September 1 | 1st T20I | Chelmsford |
| September 4 | 2nd T20I | Hove |
| September 9 | 3rd T20I | Taunton |
| September 16 | 1st ODI | Bristol |
| September 19 | 2nd ODI | Worcester |
| September 21 | 3rd ODI | Leicester |
| September 23 | 4th ODI | Derby |
| September 26 | 5h ODI | Canterbury |
