Devine and Tahuhu to Retire After T20 World Cup as New Zealand Name Squad

New Zealand have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with senior players Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu confirming they will retire from international cricket after the tournament. The duo will join Suzie Bates, who had earlier declared the event as her “final mission” in international cricket.

The squad, led by Amelia Kerr, reflects a blend of experience and emerging talent as New Zealand prepare to defend their T20 World Cup title. Ten players from the previous title-winning campaign have been retained, including Kerr, Bates, Devine, Tahuhu, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair and Georgia Plimmer.

Among the notable inclusions are Nensi Patel and Izzy Sharp, both set to feature in their first T20 World Cup. Patel, an offspin-bowling allrounder, has made an impressive start to her international career with six wickets in four matches, while Sharp has already represented New Zealand in 11 T20Is since her debut in 2025.

Head coach Ben Sawyer expressed confidence in the squad, highlighting the balance between seasoned campaigners and young prospects. He described World Cups as the pinnacle of international cricket and said the team is eager to compete on the global stage.

The tournament will also mark the end of an era for New Zealand cricket, with three of their most experienced players—Devine, Bates, and Tahuhu—bowing out together. Sawyer called it a “rare and special occasion,” acknowledging their immense contributions to the team and the sport.

New Zealand head into the tournament in strong form, having won seven of their last eight T20 internationals. They will play a three-match T20I series against England women's cricket team in late May as part of their preparations.

Placed in Group 2, New Zealand will face Ireland women's cricket team, Scotland women's cricket team, Sri Lanka women's cricket team, West Indies women's cricket team, and hosts England. They will begin their campaign against West Indies on June 14 in Hampshire, following warm-up matches against Bangladesh and South Africa in Loughborough.

New Zealand Squad:
Amelia Kerr (captain), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (wk), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp (wk), Lea Tahuhu.