Admark Print Wellington Blaze and WHITE FERNS captain Sophie Devine will be a part of the Blaze winter training squad for the first time in five years.

Devine usually spends her winters playing overseas but is back home in Wellington this winter and said she was excited to play a part in the Blaze’s winter preparations.

“I’m certainly looking forward to getting back in there and just talking, especially with those younger players, and trying to pass on as much as I know which I have picked up on over what feels like decades of playing cricket,” said Devine.

“That’s certainly the thing I haven’t been able to do the past couple of years during preseason because I’ve been away.

“I think it’s always revitalising as a more experienced player to feed off their energy because young players are just so enthusiastic. They’ve got new ideas and perspective on the game and it certainly keeps you on the balls of your feet which I think is a really positive thing.”

Two players who will relish the opportunity to train with Devine are allrounder Olivia Boivin (21) and batter Georgia Plimmer (16) who are the newest faces in the winter squad.

Both players made their debuts in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches against the Northern Spirit last year and have impressed for their clubs and the women’s provincial A team.

The pair are the latest players to break into the Blaze programme from the Cricket Wellington pathway system and join Beth Molony, Natasha Codyre and Xara Jetly who have all made the step up in recent seasons.

Established WHITE FERNS Maddy Green and Amelia Kerr add more international experience to the squad and Jess Kerr will be looking to build on a breakthrough 2019-20 season after earning her first WHITE FERNS contract earlier this year.

“This is a really exciting group with a good mix of young players and experienced internationals,” said head coach Ivan Tissera.

“It’s great to be able to bring another two young players into the winter squad who showed last year that they are capable at this level, and having Sophie here for the winter will obviously be hugely rewarding for the whole squad.’’

Wicketkeeper batter Rachel Priest will play no part in the 2020-21 season for the Blaze after taking up a contract with the Tasmania Tigers in Australia and means Jess McFadyen will take on the wicketkeeper duties in both the one-day and T20 formats.

Allrounder Leigh Kasperek is still overseas in the UK and is unavailable for the winter training preparations.

Liz Green, Whetu Campbell and Allex Evans are not involved in the squad after all announcing their retirements since the end of last season.

The Blaze will begin their winter training programme in late August.

Admark Print Wellington Blaze winter training squad:

Olivia Boivin

Rebecca Burns

Natasha Codyre

Sophie Devine

Deanna Doughty

Maddy Green

Xara Jetly

Jess Kerr

Melie Kerr

Caitlin King

Jess McFadyen

Beth Molony

Thamsyn Newton

Georgia Plimmer

Maneka Singh

Rookies

Antonia Hamilton

Jamie Mason-Jones

Article added: Friday 07 August 2020