New Zealand have unveiled their 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, a group that blends rich experience with youthful promise. Four players — Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis, Bella James, and Bree Illing — are preparing to make their first appearances on the World Cup stage after strong recent performances at both domestic and international levels.
The announcement was made in Auckland by World Cup–winning captain Emily Drumm at Epsom Girls’ Grammar School, a fitting choice given the connection to Illing and Maddy Green, both former students. For captain Sophie Devine, the tournament marks the closing chapter of her ODI career, as she had earlier confirmed this would be her final outing in the format.
Each of the debutants has taken a distinct path to selection. Illing, just 21, broke into the national side against Sri Lanka in March, immediately impressing with four wickets and later topping the wicket charts on the New Zealand A tour of England.
James, a right-hander from the Otago Sparks, debuted against Australia last December after steering her domestic side to consecutive HBJ Shield titles and went on to finish just behind Georgia Plimmer in runs for New Zealand A.
Inglis, another Otago product, has been one of the most consistent run scorers in the HBJ Shield and proved her mettle in the grand final with an 86-run match-winning effort. Devonshire, a left-arm spinning all-rounder, backed up her bowling returns of 18 wickets at 17.5 with valuable batting contributions, including scores of 73* and 72.
Their arrival comes as Fran Jonas, Lauren Down, Molly Penfold, and Hannah Rowe make way. The backbone of the squad remains highly seasoned: Devine (152 ODIs) and Suzie Bates (171 ODIs) head into their fifth World Cup, while Lea Tahuhu (97 ODIs) features in her fourth, and Maddy Green (81 ODIs) alongside Melie Kerr (77 ODIs) prepare for their third.
New Zealand Women’s Squad for 2025 World Cup:
Sophie Devine (C), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu
Since the 2022 edition, New Zealand have played 29 ODIs and secured 11 victories. Bates has been the standout with 851 runs, including a top score of 108, while Jess Kerr leads the bowling tally with 30 wickets from 19 matches.
In 2025, the White Ferns have featured in only three ODIs — all against Sri Lanka in March — winning two convincingly by 78 and 98 runs, with one no result. Georgia Plimmer top-scored with 140 runs, highlighted by a 112, while Hannah Rowe took four wickets, including best figures of 4/31.
Historically, New Zealand remains one of only three nations, alongside Australia and England, to have lifted the World Cup trophy, achieving that success in 2000. Since their runners-up finish in 2009, however, they have not reached the knockout stage, finishing 6th out of 8 while hosting in 2022.
Ahead of the tournament, the White Ferns will contest warm-up matches against India A on 25 September and India on 27 September before their campaign officially begins.
New Zealand Women’s Fixtures for 2025 World Cup:
- 1 October 2025 – vs Australia – Indore
- 6 October 2025 – vs South Africa – Indore
- 10 October 2025 – vs Bangladesh – Guwahati
- 14 October 2025 – vs Sri Lanka – Colombo
- 18 October 2025 – vs Pakistan – Colombo
- 23 October 2025 – vs India – Navi Mumbai
- 25 October 2025 – vs England – Vizag
