New Zealand Womens A Team Announced for Sri Lanka Tour Featuring Domestic Stars

Auckland, May 6: New Zealand Cricket has announced the squad for the Women’s A tour to Sri Lanka, featuring several emerging players. The tour will consist of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and an equal number of T20 matches, starting on May 12 in Dambulla.

Brendan Donkers, assistant coach of the Canterbury men’s team, will lead the coaching unit. He will be joined by Peter Boren, head coach of the Northern Brave women, and Sarah McGlashan, coach of the New Zealand Cricket pathway for women.

The squad includes seven players with international experience, namely Kelly Knight, Jess Watkin, Bella Armstrong, Fran Jonas, Hannah Rowe, Kate Anderson, and Bella James.

Top-order batter Kate Anderson was recently honored with the ‘Ruth Martin Cup’ for domestic batting at the New Zealand Cricket Awards. She scored a total of 776 runs throughout the season, including 560 runs at an average of 70 in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

After playing a crucial role in the Hearts Super Smash campaign and being one of the top scorers, Pru Catton will join Anderson in the batting department.

Off-spinner Zara Jetly has earned her first call-up to the New Zealand A team. Jetly ranked second in the domestic ODI and T20 competitions for most wickets, taking 35 wickets for Blaze this summer. Fast bowler Marama Downs, who matched Jetly’s wicket tally in the Super Smash, has also received her first call-up to New Zealand A.

Seamer Emma Black will add her domestic experience to the fast bowling lineup, having topped the HBJ Shield wicket-takers list with 21 wickets during her memorable season.

The team will depart for Sri Lanka on May 7, with their first ODI match scheduled for May 12 in Dambulla. The remaining ODIs will be played on May 15 and May 18. The T20 series will kick off on May 21, followed by the last two T20 matches on May 23 and May 25.

This will be New Zealand A’s first women’s tour to Asia, providing an opportunity to assess the capabilities of the next generation of female cricketers in subcontinental conditions.