Key takeaways from New Zealand’s CWC25 squad

Led by Sophie Devine, the White Ferns have unveiled a promising cast to make their case at the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

The squad features young names making their maiden Cricket World Cup appearance coupled with seasoned campaigners, who will bring in some much-needed experience on the big stage.

New Zealand squad: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu

Here are the key takeaways from their squad announcement:

Veterans team-up

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine will be featuring in her fifth Cricket World Cup. The 36-year-old has announced that the tournament will mark the last time she features in the ODI format.

With 3990 runs and 107 wickets to her name from 152 ODI outings, Devine stands tall as one of the great all-rounders in the format.

The White Ferns will be looking to make the most of her fierce striking with the bat at the top of the order, to go with her dexterous variations with the ball.

Also playing in her fifth Cricket World Cup will be Suzie Bates, New Zealand’s leading run-getter in Women’s ODIs.

Boasting a staggering 5896 runs off 171 outings, Bates, 37, will be teaming up alongside her skipper and long-time teammate for one last time at the marquee tournament.

Faith in fresh talent

A notable aspect of the White Ferns’ selection is the inclusion of four first-timers at the Cricket World Cup.

The quartet of Polly Inglis, Bella James, Bree Illing and Flora Devonshire have earned a maiden call-up for the marquee tournament. Off them, Devonshire is poised to make her ODI debut on the big stage.

Outlining their skillset and backing the youngsters to make their case in India and Sri Lanka, head coach Ben Sawyer stated, “I’d like to especially acknowledge the four players set for their first World Cup - they’ve all earned this opportunity and I’m excited to see what impact they can have on the tournament.”

“Bree puts batters under pressure early with her swing and has great ability with the new ball.

“Her and Flora have both shown they can consistently bring the stumps into play, which will be effective in the conditions we’re going to face.

“Bella‘s a versatile batter who can hit 360 degrees around the ground and can bat in most places in the line up.

“Polly gives us another option with the gloves within the squad, and she possesses great grit and determination, which are qualities that will be important in trying conditions.”

All-round depth

A key reason behind their success at last year’s ICC Women's T20 World Cup, New Zealand will once again rely on the rich tapestry of all-rounders in their squad.

From the old guard in the likes of Devine and Bates to the globetrotting brilliance of Melie Kerr, who was Player of the Tournament in Dubai, and a fresh talent in debutant Flora Devonshire, the White Ferns have multiple all-round resources in their midst.

The former Cricket World Cup winners will put the opposition on the edge with both bat and ball through the course of 50 overs.

“I’m really pleased with the balance of the squad. I think we’ve got the right mix to tackle what we’ll come up against in terms of conditions and opposition,” Sawyer believes.

Spin power

A big strength for teams in sub-continent conditions will be their lineup of spinners. New Zealand have that box ticked with a host of diverse alternatives.

Leg-spinner Melie Kerr will be leading the charge, having already shown her ability to star with the ball in White Ferns’ T20 World Cup win, where she finished as the leading wicket-taker.

Accompanying her to shoulder the responsibility of their spin attack with be Eden Carson, who was also instrumental in New Zealand’s success in Dubai.

Meanwhile, Flora Devonshire offers added variation among the tweakers in what will be her first Cricket World Cup. The left-arm orthodox spinner, who brings in the angular advantage against right-handers, has been rewarded for her success in the domestic circuit, and is primed to make her ODI debut.

New Zealand will kickstart their Cricket World Cup campaign against defending champions Australia on October 1 in Indore.