New Zealand Cricket has confirmed its 17-player women’s central contract list for 2026-27, with Flora Devonshire, Nensi Patel and Izzy Sharp stepping up to full deals. The trio replace long-serving campaigners Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu and Lauren Down. Sophie Devine, who was on a casual agreement last summer, is also missing from the list, having signalled her intention to finish after the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Captain Melie Kerr again headlines a group that still includes familiar names – Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair and Georgia Plimmer among them – but the spread of fresh contracts hints at a planned hand-over.
Head coach Ben Sawyer was quick to spell out the thinking. “Flora’s a clean striker with lots of power,” he said. “Being left-handed, she offers a point of difference as she’s able to hit to different areas of the field, and there’s the added bonus of her left-arm orthodox bowling. Nensi’s consistently accurate with the ball, and she has great control over her length and pace. Izzy’s batting has been building from strength to strength. She possesses similar qualities to Sophie and with Soph stepping away from international cricket soon, it’s really exciting to bring someone with Izzy’s power onto a central contract so we can keep working with her to develop those skills.”
Devonshire, 22, made her international bow in March 2025. The Central Districts left-hander has already featured in two global tournaments and continues to offer a dual option with her slow left-arm spin – a rarity in the current squad.
Patel, 25, returns to the contract list after a season out. The Northern Districts off-spinning all-rounder has 14 wickets from her first batch of T20Is at an economy rate of just over four, numbers that underline why selectors have gone back to her. She further strengthened her case with 4 for 18 against Bangladesh in a T20 World Cup warm-up last month.
Sharp is the newest face but hardly an unknown. The Timaru-born right-hander captained New Zealand at the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023 and topped Canterbury’s run charts in the 2025-26 Super Smash, averaging 30 at a strike-rate of 128. Her ability to clear the ropes mirrors the role Devine has filled for a decade, and the coaching staff clearly see her as part of the succession plan.
Bates, Tahuhu and Devine are expected to call time on long and decorated international careers once the World Cup in Bangladesh concludes later this year. Down, meanwhile, has already stepped away from international cricket to focus on family and domestic commitments.
Elsewhere, left-arm spinner Fran Jonas keeps her contract after a solid New Zealand A tour of Sri Lanka, while Bella James retains her place following a breakthrough summer with the bat.
The domestic season starts in October, giving the new contract group a short runway before the World Cup. For Devonshire, Patel and Sharp, the challenge is as straightforward as it is steep: settle quickly, contribute regularly, and help steer a side that is re-tooling on the fly.
2026-27 New Zealand women’s central contracts
Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr (capt), Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp
