New Zealand’s 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is led by all-rounder Amelia (Melie) Kerr, who took over the captaincy from long-time skipper Sophie Devine.
Notably, the tournament will be the international farewell for three White Ferns greats: Sophie Devine, Lea Tahuhu, and Suzie Bates. Furthermore, debutants Nensi Patel and Izzy Sharp earn their first T20 World Cup call-ups.
The defending champions open Group 2 against West Indies on 13 June 2026 at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton. Additionally, the tournament runs from 12 June to 5 July across England.
New Zealand Women’s Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Full 15-Player List
Here is the complete New Zealand women’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, announced by New Zealand Cricket on 29 April 2026. Notably, ten players from the title-winning 2024 squad return.
| # | Player | Role | Batting Style | Bowling Style |
| 1 | Amelia Kerr (c) | Leg-spin All-rounder | Right-hand | Right-arm leg-break |
| 2 | Sophie Devine | All-rounder | Right-hand | Right-arm medium |
| 3 | Suzie Bates | Top-order All-rounder | Right-hand | Right-arm medium |
| 4 | Maddy Green | Top-order Batter | Right-hand | — |
| 5 | Georgia Plimmer | Top-order Batter | Left-hand | — |
| 6 | Izzy Sharp | Batter (debutant) | Right-hand | — |
| 7 | Polly Inglis (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter | Right-hand | — |
| 8 | Isabella Gaze (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter | Right-hand | — |
| 9 | Brooke Halliday | Middle-order All-rounder | Left-hand | Right-arm off-break |
| 10 | Flora Devonshire | Spin All-rounder | Right-hand | Right-arm off-break |
| 11 | Lea Tahuhu | Pacer | Right-hand | Right-arm medium-fast |
| 12 | Jess Kerr | Pacer | Right-hand | Right-arm medium-fast |
| 13 | Rosemary Mair | Pacer | Right-hand | Right-arm medium-fast |
| 14 | Bree Illing | Pacer | Right-hand | Right-arm medium |
| 15 | Nensi Patel | Spinner (debutant) | Right-hand | Right-arm off-break |
Notably, first-choice spinner Eden Carson misses out due to a long-term elbow injury.
Squad Breakdown by Role: Batters, All-Rounders, Spinners & Pacers
New Zealand’s squad blends veteran experience and emerging talent. Specifically, the side carries four top-order options, two keepers, four pacers, and a deep all-round middle order.
Top-Order Batters
Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer typically open. Furthermore, Maddy Green and Izzy Sharp strengthen the middle order.
Wicketkeeper-Batters
Polly Inglis is the primary keeper. Meanwhile, Isabella Gaze provides a second wicketkeeping option and batting depth at the lower order.
All-Rounders
Captain Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, and Flora Devonshire offer the all-round depth that defined the 2024 title run. Consequently, the White Ferns can flex batting and bowling combinations match by match.
Spinners
Leg-spinner Amelia Kerr leads the spin attack and was Player of the Tournament in 2024. Additionally, debutant Nensi Patel offers a right-arm off-break option in Eden Carson’s absence.
Pace Bowling Department
Lea Tahuhu spearheads a four-strong seam unit alongside Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, and Bree Illing. Moreover, English seaming conditions in June should reward this pace depth.
Key Players to Watch in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
A handful of names carry the title-defence load. Specifically, the spine of the side blends Kerr’s all-round class with three retiring legends giving everything one last time.
Amelia Kerr (Captain, Leg-Spin All-Rounder)
Kerr leads New Zealand at her first T20 World Cup as captain. Notably, she was the Player of the Tournament at the 2024 edition with bat and ball, and is New Zealand’s all-time leading ODI wicket-taker on 126 scalps.
Sophie Devine (Senior All-Rounder)
Devine plays her final international tournament after a 20-year career. Furthermore, her 7,866 runs in 310 matches place her second only to Suzie Bates as New Zealand’s most prolific run-scorer.
Suzie Bates (Senior Opener)
Bates also retires after the tournament. Notably, her 10,681 runs in 362 matches across formats make her the most-capped and highest-scoring New Zealand women’s cricketer in history.
Lea Tahuhu (Veteran Pacer)
Tahuhu rounds out the trio of retirees. Specifically, she sits third on New Zealand’s ODI wicket list with 125 scalps, behind only Amelia Kerr and ahead of Devine.
Georgia Plimmer (Top-Order Batter)
Plimmer adds left-handed balance at the top. Additionally, her consistent top-order returns through 2025 earned her a settled spot in the line-up.
Brooke Halliday (Middle-Order All-Rounder)
Halliday’s calm middle-order hitting was central to the 2024 final win. Moreover, her left-handed strokeplay offers a key match-up against opposing off-spinners.
End of an Era: Three White Ferns Greats Retire After Tournament
The 2026 T20 World Cup doubles as a send-off tour for three of New Zealand’s most decorated cricketers. Specifically, all three confirmed retirement plans before or alongside the squad announcement.
- Suzie Bates: Announced this would be her final tour in late April. Her career spans 362 international matches and 10,681 runs across formats.
- Sophie Devine: Already farewelled ODIs after the 2025 50-over World Cup. Will close a 20-year career after this T20 WC.
- Lea Tahuhu: Debuted against Australia in 2011. Now retires after the tournament alongside Devine and Bates.
Consequently, the campaign carries unique emotional weight. Bates, Devine, and Tahuhu also feature alongside the captain at their 10th T20 World Cup (for Bates and Devine), a remarkable longevity stat for both veterans.
Amelia Kerr Leads New Zealand’s Title Defence
Amelia Kerr captains New Zealand for the first T20 World Cup since taking over from Sophie Devine. Furthermore, the all-rounder has spoken publicly about her confidence in the White Ferns defending the crown.
Notably, Kerr was the central figure in the 2024 triumph. Specifically, her Player of the Tournament award capped a campaign that ended with a 32-run win over South Africa in the Dubai final.
New Zealand’s Group 2 Opponents at Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand sit in Group 2. Specifically, the White Ferns face England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, and Scotland in the group stage.
| Team | Captain | Note |
| New Zealand | Amelia Kerr | Defending champions |
| England | Nat Sciver-Brunt | Hosts and 2009 champions |
| West Indies | Hayley Matthews | 2016 T20 WC winners |
| Sri Lanka | Chamari Athapaththu | 2024 Women’s Asia Cup champions |
| Ireland | Gaby Lewis | Qualified via Nepal qualifier |
| Scotland | Kathryn Bryce | Second T20 WC appearance |
New Zealand’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
New Zealand play five group-stage matches across three English venues. Notably, the campaign opens with three straight games at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton.
| Date | Match | Opponent | Venue (Start, BST) |
| 13 June (Sat) | 1 | West Indies | Hampshire Bowl, Southampton (18:30) |
| 16 June (Tue) | 2 | Sri Lanka | Hampshire Bowl, Southampton (14:30) |
| 19 June (Fri) | 3 | Ireland | Hampshire Bowl, Southampton |
| 23 June (Tue) | 4 | Scotland | Bristol County Ground, Bristol (10:30) |
| 27 June (Sat) | 5 | England | The Oval, London (18:30) |
New Zealand’s Women’s T20 World Cup Record: 2024 Champions Look to Go Back-to-Back
New Zealand have featured in every Women’s T20 World Cup since the inaugural 2009 edition. Furthermore, the side ended a long wait for ICC silverware in 2024.
- Champions: 2024 (beat South Africa by 32 runs in the Dubai final under Sophie Devine).
- Runners-up: 2009 and 2010 editions.
- Current ICC rankings (June 2026): 4th in T20I (rating 254.
Therefore, the White Ferns target a rare back-to-back T20 World Cup. Only Australia have ever defended this trophy successfully, which underlines the size of New Zealand’s challenge.
Conclusion: A Farewell Tour With a Title in Sight
New Zealand’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad blends 10 returnees from the 2024 title side with two debutants. Furthermore, the farewell tours of Devine, Bates, and Tahuhu add unique stakes to the title defence.
Consequently, the campaign carries both legacy and ambition. The White Ferns open against West Indies on 13 June in Southampton, with Amelia Kerr’s leadership central to any chance of a maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title defence.
