Tahuhu, Bezuidenhout return to NZC contract listing
Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu and wicketkeeper-batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout have each returned to New Zealand’s central contract listing for the 2023-24 season, becoming a member of a core of skilled gamers similar to Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates.
There was additionally a maiden contract for Northern Districts batter Kate Anderson, who was not too long ago named the Women’s Domestic Player of the Year on the New Zealand Cricket Awards following her exploits on the Super Smash, the place she topped the run-scoring charts with 536 runs from 12 matches at a mean of 59.55 – essentially the most by a batter in a single season.
Tahuhu, who didn’t get a central contract final yr, stays a key member of New Zealand’s bowling unit, whereas Bezuidenhout returns to the contract listing for the primary time for the reason that 2019-20 season following a two-year absence from cricket as she recovered from RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). Bezuidenhout finally made her return to the New Zealand facet through the T20 World Cup in South Africa in January.
However, there have been no contracts for wicketkeeper Jess McFayden and allrounder Nensi Patel, who had been each contracted for the 2022-23 season. Auckland batter Lauren Down opted to not settle for a contract because of household causes.
“We’re pleased with the high performance structures we’ve integrated in the women’s space and believe that they will enable future success on the world stage,” Liz Green, the NZC Head of Female High Performance, mentioned. “We think that these players possess the skills and appetite to develop as cricketers and represent New Zealand well on the world stage.”
Last yr, NZC introduced that its feminine cricketers will earn the same match fees as the men underneath a brand new five-year deal struck between NZC, the six main associations, and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, that means a considerable pay enhance at worldwide and home ranges.
New Zealand’s instant task is a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka beginning subsequent week, however they’re going to be with out the injured Anderson (finger), Hayley Jensen (knee) and Jess Kerr (toe).
New Zealand 2023-24 contract listing: Kate Anderson, Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu