There are four new players in the list of 15 White Ferns contracted for the upcoming cricket season.
White Fern batter Jess Watkin. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Central Districts all-rounder Jess Watkin, Northern Districts wicketkeeper Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Canterbury all-rounders Hayley Jensen and Kate Ebrahim are the new comers.
Veteran Rachel Priest along with Thamsyn Newton and Anna Peterson have missed out on contracts after being included last year, while Canterbury's Erin Bermingham has retired from international cricket.
Watkin has been offered a White Ferns contract on the back of an impressive start to her international career.
The 20-year-old Watkin and Bezuidenhout both debuted on the recent tour of Ireland and England, where the former was able to cement her place in the One Day and T20 side with some impressive performances with bat and ball.
"It really is a dream come true to be offered my first full-time professional contract," Watkin said.
"Getting a taste of international cricket in Ireland and England left me wanting more and it's awesome that I'll now be able to train and play all year round."
The other two players added to the list from last year are Canterbury Magicians all-rounders Hayley Jensen and Kate Ebrahim, who both made successful come backs to the White Ferns this year.
The White Ferns play Australia in three T20 Internationals before the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in November and then play a home series against India in the new year.
The 15 players offered White Ferns contracts for the 2018-19 season, in alphabetical order, are:
Suzie Bates (Otago Sparks)
Bernadine Bezuidenhout (Northern Spirit)
Sophie Devine (Wellington Blaze)
Kate Ebrahim (Canterbury Magicians)
Maddy Green (Auckland Hearts)
Holly Huddleston (Auckland Hearts)
Hayley Jensen (Canterbury Magicians)
Leigh Kasperek (Otago Sparks)
Amelia Kerr (Wellington Blaze)
Katey Martin (Otago Sparks)
Katie Perkins (Auckland Hearts)
Hannah Rowe (Central Hinds)
Amy Satterthwaite (Canterbury Magicians)
Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury Magicians)
Jess Watkin (Central Hinds)
