Bella James’ Personal Details
Name: Isabella Rose James
Date of Birth: January 27, 1999
Batting style: Right hand Bat
Fielding Position: Wicketkeeper
Role: Top order Batter
A right-handed batter and wicketkeeper, James has steadily emerged as one of the most promising names in the country’s cricketing landscape. Born and raised in Arrowtown, New Zealand, James completed her schooling at Arrowtown Primary School before progressing to St Hilda’s Collegiate, where she refined her cricketing skills under coach Neil Rosenberg.
Her breakthrough came during the Secondary Schools Girls Finals, where she made headlines as the tournament’s top scorer with 191 runs. Her outstanding performances earned her the Secondary Schools Girls’ Young Cricketer of the Year award and also made her the first female recipient of the prestigious Otago Cricket Scholarship.
Guided early in her career by New Zealand stalwarts Suzie Bates and Katey Martin, James quickly developed a reputation for her determination and composure at the crease.
James made her domestic debut for Otago Sparks at just 15 years old. She played her first List A match in December 2014 against Canterbury in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and her T20 debut a day earlier in December 2014. Over the years, she became a consistent contributor for Otago across both formats.
Her maiden List A century came in the 2022-23 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, when she struck a superb 101 against Central Hinds. She followed this up with an unbeaten 101 against Wellington Blaze in the 2024- 25 edition of the competition, cementing her place as a reliable top-order batter. In August 2024, her performances were rewarded when New Zealand Cricket offered her a domestic contract for the 2024-25 season.
Bella James’ International Call-Up
James’ rise to the international stage came in December 2024, when she earned her maiden call-up to the New Zealand ODI squad for the series against Australia. She made her ODI debut on 21 December 2024 and has since played two matches, amassing 51 runs across her first two innings, a promising start to her international career. Although sidelined in February 2025 due to a hip flexor injury during the Sri Lanka series, she returned strongly.
Her leadership credentials were highlighted in June 2025, when she captained New Zealand A Women against England A, scoring a fine 80 runs and showcasing her ability to guide younger players. That same month, she was rewarded with her maiden central contract by New Zealand Cricket for the 2025-26 season, a significant step in her career trajectory.
With her blend of batting flair, wicket keeping skills, and leadership qualities, Isabella Rose James is being groomed as a vital cog in New Zealand’s women’s cricket setup. Backed by early mentors and her own consistent performances, she is steadily carving out a place for herself among the next generation of White Ferns stars.
