New Zealand Cricket has revealed the squad for the Women’s A tour to Sri Lanka, featuring emerging talents set to play three one-day matches and three T20s starting from May 12 in Dambulla. The coaching unit will be led by Canterbury men’s assistant coach Brendon Donkers, Northern Brave Women’s head coach Peter Borren, and NZC pathway coach Sara McGlashan. The squad includes seven players with international experience, such as Kayley Knight, Jess Watkin, Bella Armstrong, Fran Jonas, Hannah Rowe, Kate Anderson, and Bella James.
Top-order batter Kate Anderson, who recently won the Ruth Martin Cup for domestic batting at the NZC Awards, is a standout player having scored 776 runs across the season, with 560 runs at an average of 70 in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield. Prue Catton, known for her role in the Hearts Super Smash campaign, will join Anderson in the batting department after finishing as one of the top run scorers in the competition.
Off-spinner Xara Jetly, with impressive performances in the domestic one-day and T20 competitions, has earned her first New Zealand A call-up after taking 35 wickets for the Blaze this summer, including career-best List A figures of 6-39. Additionally, pace bowler Marama Downes, who finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Super Smash, has also earned her maiden New Zealand A call-up.
Seamer Emma Black, a top performer in the HBJ Shield wicket-taking charts with 21 wickets, adds her domestic experience to the pace bowling ranks. The squad is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka on May 7 for their first One Day match in Dambulla, marking the first women’s New Zealand A tour to Asia to test the best women’s cricketers in subcontinent conditions.
