Dream11 Super Smash champions the Admark Print Wellington Blaze will have their eyes on a T20 three-peat and a first one-day title in 15 years when they begin their domestic summer of cricket next weekend.
Head coach Ivan Tissera today named his 18-strong squad for the 2019-20 season which features a host of international and established domestic talent.
A highlight of the squad is the nine players who have been offered the very first women’s domestic playing contracts for the 2019-20 season.
The new contracts are a feature of the women’s Master Agreement announced last month and provide players with financial support to reimburse them for preparation and playing time spent during a busy summer schedule.
“The women’s domestic contracts and the New Zealand development contracts are a really exciting development in the growth of the women’s game,” said Wellington Blaze performance manager Robbie Kerr.
“It’s really encouraging to see the number of players that we have who aspire to play at the next level and these contracts are only going to improve the development and overall quality of women’s players in the country.”
The squad boasts five WHITE FERNS, including last year’s standouts Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine, and wicketkeeper Rachel Priest who returned to the WHITE FERNS in September.
WHITE FERNS allrounders Leigh Kasperek and Maddy Green made the move to Wellington over the winter and will add further power to the Blaze middle-order.
WBBL commitments mean that Leigh Kasperek is likely to be the only WHITE FERN in action during the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield – all five WHITE FERNS will be available for the Super Smash competition.
Liz Perry and Thamsyn Newton will add further experience to the squad and NZC development contracted player Jess Kerr adds value with bat and ball as she continues her push for higher honours.
Last summer’s leading six-hitter Rebecca Burns and promising legspinner Deanna Doughty will be looking to build on strong summers last year, while Cricket Wellington pathway graduates Xara Jetly and Beth Molony continue their development after making their Blaze debuts last summer.
“We have a great mix in the squad with the five WHITE FERNS, a number of established domestic players and some exciting young talent who will be looking to breakthrough and establish themselves in the squad,” said Kerr.
“We’ve worked really hard during the pre-season and we’re now looking forward to putting that into action come next Saturday.”
The Blaze get their summer underway against the Auckland Hearts in round one of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield at the Basin Reserve on November 16.
Admark Print Wellington Blaze squad:
Rebecca Burns (domestic contract)
Whetu Campbell
Natasha Codyre
Sophie Devine (WHITE FERNS contract)
Deanna Doughty (domestic contract)
Allex Evans (domestic contract)
Maddy Green (WHITE FERNS contract)
Liz Green-Perry (domestic contract)
Xara Jetly
Leigh Kasperek (WHITE FERNS contract)
Amelia Kerr (WHITE FERNS contract)
Jess Kerr (NZC development contract)
Caitlin King (domestic contract)
Beth Molony (domestic contract)
Jess McFadyen (domestic contract)
Thamsyn Newton (domestic contract)
Rachel Priest (WHITE FERNS contract)
Maneka Singh (domestic contract)
Click here to see the Wellington Blaze 2019-20 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield schedule.
Click here to see the Wellington Blaze 2019-20 Dream11 Super Smash schedule.
Article added: Wednesday 06 November 2019
