New Zealand have named Nancy Patel and Izzy Sharp in their 15-man squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England this June-July, while veterans Sophie Devine and Leah Tahuhu have confirmed their retirement from international cricket after the tournament.
Susie Bates, who turned 39 in September, had previously announced she was preparing for “one final stint” and New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Wednesday that Devine and Tahuhu, 36 and 35 respectively, would bow out after the match.
The trio’s impending retirement was confirmed when New Zealand announced their squad to defend their T20 World Cup title.
The team is led by captain Amelia Kerr and features ten players from the team that won the title two years ago, including Bates, Devine, Tahuhu, Izzy Case, Maddie Green, Brooke Holliday, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair and Georgia Plimmer.
This is the first T20 World Cup appearance for left-arm fast bowler Bree Illing, wicketkeeper-batsman Polly Inglis and left-arm spinner Flora Devonshire, all of whom featured in last year’s ODI World Cup squad.
All-rounder Patel, who bowls off-spin, made his T20I debut in February this year and has taken six wickets in four matches at an impressive economy rate of 3.56. Wicketkeeper-batsman Sharpe has the most international experience, having played 11 T20Is since his debut in March 2025.
New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said the selections reflected both achievement and change.
“Anytime you’re selected to represent your country on the world stage it’s an honour, but World Cups are more important and I’m sure everyone can’t wait to get on the plane,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said in a statement.
“It will be an extra special time for Izzy and Nancy as this is their first World Cup. They have eased into international cricket this summer and both should be confident in this next challenge.”
Sawyer also acknowledged the significance of Devine, Bates and Tahuhu ending their careers in the same tournament.
“It’s a rare and special occasion to have all three of our seniors finish their careers in the same tournament,” Sawyer said. “All three men have had illustrious careers in their own right and have given a lot to this team and the game in general.
“At the end of the tournament there will be a time to further recognize and celebrate all three, and I know that right now they are focused on doing well in their final work with the team.”
New Zealand enter the tournament in strong form, having won seven of their last eight T20 Internationals. They will face England in a three-match T20I series at the end of May before World Cup preparations officially begin on June 7.
“I believe we’ve landed a balanced team with a mix of experience and exciting young talent,” Sawyer said. “We have worked very hard over the last 12 months to improve the depth of our batting, which we saw pay off in our recent domestic series against South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“With the ball, our pace is competing hard for places in the attacking XI, which is a great place to be from a depth perspective.”
New Zealand are in Group 2 along with England, Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
They will play warm-up matches against Bangladesh and South Africa at Loughborough on June 6 and 9 respectively, before starting their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Hampshire on June 14.
New Zealand squad for Women’s T20 World Cup: Amelia Kerr (Captain), Susie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Case (Week), Maddie Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (Week), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mere, Nancy Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp (Tuckhu Sharp)