New Zealand is set to showcase its next generation of female cricket talent in an exciting Under-19 Tri-Series in Australia this month, marking a pivotal step in their preparations for the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia. Featuring a 15-strong squad, including 12 domestically contracted players, New Zealand’s Development Women will face off against Australia and Sri Lanka in a series designed to further develop the nation’s top female cricketing prospects.
The Tri-Series in Brisbane and the Gold Coast is part of New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) broader women’s high-performance strategy, aimed at nurturing future talent and ensuring the WHITE FERNS’ succession planning. This initiative fits into the two-year ICC World Cup cycles and focuses on providing the under-19 players with as much exposure to international cricket as possible.
According to NZC Head of Women’s High Performance, Liz Green, the Tri-Series presents an invaluable opportunity for young players to test their skills against strong opposition.
“This is a good chance to expose some of our best young players to international cricket and test them against strong Australian and Sri Lankan sides,” said Green.
This exposure is crucial not only for the immediate preparation for the 2025 World Cup but also as part of a long-term strategy to identify and nurture talent that could represent the senior national team, the WHITE FERNS, in the future.
The squad selected for this Tri-Series brings together a promising blend of emerging talent and experienced youth. Five players—Kate Chandler, Kate Irwin, Louisa Kotkamp, Emma McLeod, and Tash Wakelin—represented New Zealand at the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Their previous experience on the world stage is expected to play a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding the newer players on this tour.
Additionally, Canterbury batters Izzy Sharp and spinner Abigail Hotton have been included in the squad as ‘over-age’ players, despite being ineligible for the 2025 World Cup due to their age. Their inclusion reflects NZC’s commitment to continuing the development of its most promising players, even if they fall outside the age bracket for the upcoming tournament.
This careful selection process highlights New Zealand’s focus on high-potential players and the importance placed on creating a pipeline of talent that feeds into the senior team. Liz Green emphasized that this Tri-Series allows players to make their case for World Cup selection.
“It’s also a great opportunity for players to put their hand up for selection for the World Cup next year.”
Preparing for the 2025 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
The 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Malaysia, represents a crucial event for the development of women’s cricket globally. For New Zealand, this tournament will not only serve as a platform for showcasing talent but also as a test of the country’s high-performance strategies.
The upcoming Tri-Series is structured to include both T20 and 50-over matches, offering diverse formats to help the players adapt to different conditions and styles of play. It is a critical stage in preparing the New Zealand team for the dynamic environment of World Cup cricket. By playing against top-tier sides like Australia and Sri Lanka, these young cricketers will experience the level of intensity, pressure, and skill needed to succeed on the global stage.
The Importance of Youth Development in Women’s Cricket
New Zealand’s Under-19 programme is a key part of the country’s efforts to enhance its global competitiveness in women’s cricket. With cricket being one of the fastest-growing sports for women globally, the development of young players is crucial to maintaining New Zealand’s presence in international cricket’s upper echelons.
This focus on youth development aligns with global trends in sports, where investing in younger athletes ensures the longevity and success of national teams. The NZC’s high-performance strategy also seeks to integrate these younger players into domestic competitions, offering them more opportunities to grow, develop, and transition smoothly to the international level.
“We’re exposing players to more and more opportunities in New Zealand and around the world, and it’s encouraging to see so many of this squad also getting opportunities with their Major Associations as contracted players,” Liz Green noted.
Future WHITE FERNS in the Making
This Tri-Series is more than just a preparation event for the upcoming World Cup; it is an opportunity to mold future WHITE FERNS who will represent New Zealand on the global stage. The exposure to international cricket and the experience of competing against world-class teams like Australia and Sri Lanka will play a critical role in their growth as athletes.
As Green pointed out, representing New Zealand on tour is an exciting experience that will inspire this group of players to push for higher achievements.
“It’s a great opportunity for players to put their hand up for selection for the World Cup next year and push on to become future WHITE FERNS.”
For New Zealand’s female cricketers, the pathway to international success begins here, and the Tri-Series will be an integral part of their journey.
New Zealand’s participation in the Under-19 Tri-Series in Australia marks an important milestone in the country’s preparation for the 2025 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. With a squad featuring rising stars and experienced youth players, this series provides the perfect platform for New Zealand’s future cricketing talent to showcase their skills, gain international exposure, and solidify their spots in the World Cup squad. The emphasis on high-performance development reflects New Zealand Cricket’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge on the global stage and ensuring a bright future for women’s cricket in the country.