Wellington Blaze wicketkeeper Jess McFadyen has been rewarded for her consistent domestic performances with her first WHITE FERNS contract.

McFadyen joins Blaze allrounder Thamsyn Newton, who is contracted for the first time since 2018, as well as Blaze teammates Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr and Jess Kerr.

McFadyen has enjoyed a successful couple of years on the domestic scene for the Blaze. She was the third leading runscorer in last summer's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield campaign with 397 runs and played an important role in the Dream11 Super Smash as the Blaze reached the Grand Final for a fourth consecutive season. 

The wicketkeeper-batter also registered the eighth highest ever New Zealand women's List A score with 153 not out against Otago in the 2019-20 season.

Newton returns to the WHITE FERNS contract list having previously been contracted between 2016 and 2018.

She was recalled to the WHITE FERNS T20 squad for matches against England and Australia last summer and her strong performances have seen her receive a full-time contract again.

WHITE FERNS head coach Bob Carter was full of praise for the Blaze duo.

“I would like to congratulate those players returning but especially those receiving a contract for the first time,” said Carter.

“We welcome back Thamsyn and are especially excited about her athletic capacity and skills in all three facets of the game.

"Jess McFadyen is an exciting prospect and had strong campaigns in both the Dream11 Super Smash and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield”

“We need to develop our wicket-keepers and Jess has shown ability over several seasons now. She has a wise head on her shoulders and will be an asset to the group, I’m sure.”

The contracting process has been completed as outlined in the Master Agreement, where the overriding criteria is a players likely playing value to NZC for the contract year ahead with some emphasis on their performance in the previous 12 month period. 

As part of the formal contracting process, the NZCPA was consulted and confirmed the process, as outlined in the Master Agreement, was adhered to.

The WHITE FERNS begin their winter training programme with a camp at Lincoln University, starting on June 7.

2021-22 Contracted WHITE FERNS 

Suzie Bates (Otago)

Sophie Devine (Wellington)

Lauren Down (Auckland)

Maddy Green (Wellington)

Brooke Halliday (Northern Districts)*  

Hayley Jensen (Otago)

Leigh Kasperek (Wellington)

Melie Kerr (Wellington)

Jess Kerr (Wellington)

Frankie Mackay (Canterbury)* 

Jess McFadyen (Wellington)* 

Rosemary Mair (Central Districts)

Katey Martin (Otago)

Thamsyn Newton (Wellington)*  previously contracted from 2016-2018

Hannah Rowe (Central Districts)

Amy Satterthwaite (Canterbury)

Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury)

*New Contract Offers

Article added: Wednesday 26 May 2021