New Zealand Women's Domestic Teams Finalise Squads

New Zealand's women's domestic cricket teams have completed their player contracts for the 2024-25 season. Here is a rundown of the final rosters, including the latest additions to each team.

Central Districts

Uncapped right-arm seamer Grace Foreman has earned her first contract with Central Districts. Hailing from New Plymouth, Foreman has progressed through the Taranaki and Central Districts’ development systems over recent years. She represented the team at both Under-15 and Under-19 levels and was part of the squad that clinched the 2022 NZC Under-19 national championship. Last season, she made her debut for the Districts A side and attended a NZC Under-19 national camp. Foreman joins fellow right-arm pacer Anna Gaging as a new addition to the squad, completing Central Districts' player roster for the upcoming season.

Foreman expressed her excitement, stating that receiving the call from head coach Jacob Oram offering her the contract was a dream come true. She looks forward to playing alongside some of her role models.

Foreman comes from a cricketing family; her older sister Amy Foreman has coached the Taranaki women's team and was part of NZC's pathway-to-performance coaching scholarship last season. Their mother, Helen, has also been involved in Taranaki cricket.

This 15-player list also includes two NZC-contracted players, Rosemary Mair and Hannah Rowe, who will join the team when available. Captain Natalie Dodd will not participate this season as she is expecting her first child later this year.

Contracted players: Aniela Apperley, Georgia Atkinson, Ocean Bartlett, Flora Devonshire, Grace Foreman, Anna Gaging, Kate Gaging, Claudia Green, Mikaela Greig, Ashtuti Kumar, Emma McLeod, Thamsyn Newton, Kerry Tomlinson  

NZC contracts: Rosemary Mair, Hannah Rowe

Canterbury

Canterbury has secured batter Emma Irwin as their 13th and final signing for the season. This marks Irwin's second stint with the team. The 20-year-old was part of the New Zealand Under-19 squad at the World Cup in January last year.

Contracted players: Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Missy Banks, Natalie Cox, Jodie Dean, Harriet Graham, Abigail Hotton, Laura Hughes, Frankie Mackay, Izzy Sharp, Jess Simmons, Gabby Sullivan, Emma Irwin

Auckland

Fast bowler Sophie Court is the final addition to Auckland's roster for the season. Court's inclusion comes after her impressive rise through Auckland Cricket's Talent and Pathway programme, where she represented Auckland at the Under-19 and Auckland A levels. She was also part of the Auckland Under-19 team that won the national under-19 tournament earlier this year.

Court shared that she was overwhelmed with emotions upon receiving the call and expressed gratitude to her parents and coaches for their support. She is eager to learn and gain experience as part of the team.

Contracted players: Olivia Anderson, Bella Armstrong, Elizabeth Buchanan, Prue Catton, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Kate Irwin, Rishika Jaswal, Cate Pedersen, Josie Penfold, Saachi Shahri, Anika Todd, Sophie Court

Northern Districts

Allrounder Carol Agafili has been signed as Northern Districts' 13th and final player for the season. Agafili has previously represented Northern Districts and also played three T20Is for Samoa earlier this year.

Contracted players: Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Caitlin Gurrey, Eve Wolland, Holly Topp, Jess Watkin, Jesse Prasad, Kayley Knight, Marama Downes, Marina Lamplough, Nensi Patel, Shriya Naidu, Tash Wakelin, Carol Agafili

Wellington

Wellington has completed their roster with the addition of right-hand batter Gemma Sims. Sims participated in six Super Smash matches last season but is yet to make a significant impact.

Contracted players: Antonia Hamilton, Caitlin King, Hannah Francis, Jess McFadyen, Kate Chandler, Leigh Kasperek, Tash Codyre, Nicole Baird, Phoenix Williams, Rachel Bryant, Rebecca Burns, Xara Jetly, Gemma Sims

Otago

Isy Parry has been awarded her first Otago contract and is the final player signed for the upcoming season.

Contracted players: Emma Black, Caitlin Blakely, Anna Browning, Harriet Cuttance, Chloe Deerness, Olivia Gain, Bella James, Louisa Kotkamp, Felicity Robertson, Molly Loe, PJ Watkins, Saffron Wilson, Isy Parry