New Zealand Announces World Cup Squad: Four Fresh Faces to Debut

New Zealand have handed maiden World Cup call-ups to Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis, Bella James and Bree Illing, with Sophie Devine set to captain the squad in her last ODI assignment at the upcoming ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The 15-member squad was announced in Auckland on Wednesday (September 10) by former World Cup-winning skipper Emily Drumm.

All four newcomers debuted for New Zealand over the past summer and featured on the 'A' tour of England earlier this year. Devonshire, a left-arm spinner, was a standout in the Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield with 18 wickets at 17.5 and 266 runs. Inglis, who will also act as backup wicketkeeper, was among the leading scorers in the same competition, including an 86 in Otago Sparks' title win.

Left-arm seamer Illing impressed with four wickets on debut against Sri Lanka and then topped the wicket charts in the 50-over games on the England 'A' tour. James, 26, finished as New Zealand 'A's second-highest run-getter on that tour, just behind Georgia Plimmer.

Their inclusion means Fran Jonas, Lauren Down, Molly Penfold and Hannah Rowe, all of whom played in the home summer, miss out on World Cup selection.

Despite the fresh faces, New Zealand will be anchored by experience. Devine, who has announced she will retire from ODIs after the tournament, is set for her fifth World Cup alongside Suzie Bates. Lea Tahuhu will be playing her fourth, while Maddy Green and Melie Kerr are into their third campaigns.

The White Ferns will play two warm-ups in Bengaluru before opening their tournament against Australia in Indore on October 1.

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