16 Jan 2020

New White Ferns captain out to entertain

7:21 pm on 16 January 2020

New White Ferns captain Sophie Devine says she knows what fans want to see.

White Fern cricketer Sophie Devine.

Sophie Devine Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The big-hitting all-rounder takes over the New Zealand women's cricket captain job from Amy Satterthwaite who has recently given birth to her first child.

Devine begins her tenure with a home series against South Africa this month before leading the White Ferns to the T20 World Cup in Australia as well as next year's World Cup in New Zealand.

The White Ferns last played a match nearly 12 months ago and Devine said she is looking forward to getting out on the park to add to her 185 international caps.

"I think with the squad that has been selected I am really excited about the potential that we have with this group."

Devine, a top-order batsman who is currently playing for the Wellington Blaze, has found the boundary with ease in both the New Zealand and Australian domestic T20 competitions.

"It's certainly always been a part of my game and I think the exciting thing for me is that I am not the only player doing it either," Devine said of her big-hitting approach.

"I think you look within our team we've got plenty of power hitters, and around the world too, and if we're honest that's what people want to see, they want to see boundaries hit, they want to see bowlers bowling quick and that's certainly something we've got within our side."

The White Ferns squad selected for the upcoming three ODIs against South Africa has only one new name.

Blaze's Jess Kerr bowls during the Super Smash cricket match.

Jess Kerr Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jess Kerr is named in the New Zealand squad for the first time and could make a debut alongside her younger sister Amelia.

"Jess has thoroughly deserved her selection, she's been a constant performer for the [Wellington] Blaze for the last couple of seasons ... but the thing that has impressed me the most with Jess has been her consistency and I think she'll be the first to say that in the past she hasn't been able to back up performances, but game after game she has delivered [this season].

"I think she's going to be a huge threat and a massive asset for us."

White Ferns ODI squad

Sophie Devine (c)

Suzie Bates

Bernadine Bezuidenhout

Lauren Down

Maddy Green

Holly Huddleston

Hayley Jensen

Leigh Kasperek

Amelia Kerr

Jess Kerr

Rosemary Mair

Katey Martin

Katie Perkins

Anna Peterson

Rachel Priest