Bree Illing’s Personal Details
Name: Breearne G Illing
Date of Birth: September 29, 2003
Batting style: Left hand Bat
Bowling style: Left arm Medium
Role: Bowler
Breearne Grace Illing may only be at the start of her international career, but the left-arm quick has already shown glimpses of the promise that could make her a long-term asset for New Zealand women’s cricket. Illing combines her left-handed batting with left-arm medium-fast bowling, a rare skill set that adds balance to any side she plays in.
Illing’s cricket journey began in Auckland, where she represented Cornwall Club before progressing into the Auckland Hearts setup. Alongside her cricket, she pursued academics with equal dedication, graduating from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Science. Off the field, she worked as a media archiver at Mainfreight with her father, a testament to her grounded beginnings.
Her domestic debut came in February 2022 during the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, and she went on to feature in both the Shield and Super Smash competitions for Auckland. Her early consistency soon drew the attention of national selectors. Illing’s first call-up to international cricket came when she was selected for the New Zealand Under-19 squad in late 2022.
Though injury unfortunately ruled her out of the 2023 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, the experience cemented her place in New Zealand’s development pathway. She returned strongly in 2023-24, making her T20 debut for Auckland and earning a call-up to the New Zealand A squad against England A.
Bree Illing’s International Career
February 2025 marked a career-defining month for Illing. She earned her maiden call-up to the senior New Zealand squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, making her debut on 4 March. So far in her ODI career, Illing has played 3 innings and claimed 4 wickets, with a best of 2/42, showing encouraging signs of becoming a strike option with the new ball.
In April 2024, Illing’s domestic performances earned her the Women’s Young Cricketer of the Year award, a reflection of her rapid rise through New Zealand’s cricketing ranks. A year later, in June 2025, she was once again picked for the New Zealand A squad against England A and was handed her maiden central contract by New Zealand Cricket for the 2025-26 season.
Breearne Illing has already built an inspiring story, one of talent, resilience, and steady progression. With her left-arm pace, batting depth, and youthful energy, she embodies the next generation of White Ferns. If her early steps are any indication, Illing is on track to become one of the pillars of New Zealand cricket in the years to come.
