Youth in focus as NZC axe Lea Tahuhu, Leigh Kasperek from contract list

A day after New Zealand Women's most capped player Amy Satterthwaite announced her international retirement, other players part of the national cricket like Lea Tahuhu, Frankie Mackay, Leigh Kasperek and Thamsyn Newton have not been included in NZC's latest contract list.

In a bid to look ta some younger players, Auckland Hearts trio Fran Jonas, Molly Penfold and Izzy Gaze, off-spinners Nensi Patel (Northern Brave) and Eden Carson (Otago Sparks), and Wellington Blaze batter, Georgia Plimmer have all been offered a new contract, which they can accept of decline by June 3.

NZC GM of High-Performance Cricket, Bryan Stronach has however said that the doors are necessarily not shut on those who have not been offered a contract. "They have given their all; have made great sacrifices, and retain our absolute respect," he said.

"It's also important to emphasise that, just because someone hasn't received a national contract offer, it doesn't mean they cannot, or will not, be selected. This (national contracts) is about having on contract the players we're most likely to use during the next 12-month period," he added.

"It's never easy coming up with a final 17 players.

"Having said that, we're excited about the six new faces receiving contract offers, several of whom already have some White Ferns experience under their belt. To be in a position in which we're genuinely considering the credentials of a wider pool of players can only be viewed as a positive for the women's game.

Among new entrants are teenager Fran Jonas has played five ODIs Georgia Plimmer, who was a later replacement for Lauren Down in the Worl Cup. 

"Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold have both spent a decent amount of time with the group and we hope they'll continue to develop and grow in the environment. Izzy Gaze joins Jess McFadyen as another wicket-keeping option and we look forward to those two working together to improve their skills.

"Georgia Plimmer was a late injury replacement in our World Cup squad last season, so has been around the group, while Nensi Patel and Eden Carson have both shone at domestic level."

New Zealand Women offered contracts for 2022-23:Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe