New Zealand Women announce squad for Commonwealth Games 2022, new faces included

Uncapped players Eden Carson and Izzy Gaze have been picked as New Zealand Women announce their 15-player squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The event is set to take place from July 28 to August 8, with the event T20 competition commencing on July 29. Alongside Carson and Gaze, Fran Jones and Georgia Plimmer, who recently received their maiden national contract, have also been included in the 15-player squad.

The recent retirement of all-rounder Amy Satterwhite has welcomed some new faces in the Kiwi camp. Other senior players such as Frankie McKay, Lea Tahuhu and Leigh Kasperek did not make the squad and also recently lost their contracts with the national team. The New Zealand team in England will be led by all-rounder Sophie Devine. Notably, this will be the first time women’s cricket will be a part of the Commonwealth Games.

We can’t wait to get to the plane: New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine

Devine said it is an honour to represent the country in a global event like the Commonwealth Games. She believes that her squad members are fitting in well and finding their feet. Kiwi batter Suzie Bates said that it is really special to be in the same team as other top athletes in the country

Bates formerly represented New Zealand in basketball in the Olympics. She said that being part of a wider New Zealand team makes her even prouder to represent the country, adding that she feels part of something big. The star batter encouraged everyone to “soak it all up” as she felt that the outing in Birmingham is going to be memorable.

“We can’t wait to get on the plane. To be the first women’s cricket team to represent the country at a global event like the Commonwealth Games is truly an honour. It’s been great to get the group back together this week at Bay Oval and our new squad members are finding their feet and fitting in well,” said Devine, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“Being part of a wider New Zealand team makes you even more proud to wear the Silver Fern. You feel like you’re part of something big. To be in the same team as New Zealand’s top athletes from all the different sports is something really special,” said Bates.

New Zealand squad for Commonwealth Games 2022: Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe