Newstalk ZB
With the upcoming T20 World Cup in England, it seems appropriate the tournament will see a changing of the guard for the White Ferns. New Zealand cricket royalty and self-proclaimed “grandmas”, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu, retire at the end of the tournament, which starts on June 12, and ends at the home of cricket, Lords, on July 5. It’s less than two years since the trio was part of the T20 World Cup winning side in the UAE. And such is the frequent nature of pinnacle events in international cricket, Bates and Devine have appeared in all nine previous T20 World Cups, since the first edition in England back in 2009. “To have our three most senior players all finishing their careers at the same tournament is a rare and special occasion,” says head coach Ben Sawyer, who has been in charge since 2022. “All three have had distinguished careers in their own right, and given so much to this team and the game in general. “There’ll be a time at the end of the tournament to further acknowledge and celebrate the trio and I know at present they’re very focused on performing well in their final mission with the team.” At the other end of their international careers are off-spinning allrounder Nensi Patel and batter Izzy Sharp, who have earned their maiden World Cup call-ups. Left-arm seamer Bree Illing, wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis and left-arm allrounder Flora Devonshire will play their first World Cups in the T20 format, having been part of the ODI World Cup squad in India last year. Sharp, aged 21, made her international debut in the T20 series against Sri Lanka last year, and played all the matches against Zimbabwe (three) and South Africa (five) in the format in February and March this year, batting at No 7. Izzy Sharp fielding against South Africa at Cello Basin Reserve last month. Photo / photosport.nz “Credit to [batting coach] Dean Brownlee and [assistant coach] Craig McMillan,” Sawyer says. “A couple of years ago during Super Smash, they saw some qualities in her, including the power that she possesses. “They’ve worked really hard with her. Craig has spent a lot of time with her at Lincoln, and I think that power is showing. “I think she hits the ball as hard as anybody in our team, so that’s the bit that we’re really excited about. “Izzy isn’t afraid to go out there and play really aggressively, but she does it in a really powerful way as well, so she’s been a great addition to the team.” Sharp had largely kept her selection in the World Cup squad a secret after being told the good news by Sawyer during the recent South Africa series, but there were a few people she just had to tell. “I told my partner Pero and then my Mum and Dad and my siblings. It feels like I’ve known for so long, it’s been a secret that you have to keep, but it’s nice now for the news to be finally be out,” she says. “It’s only sunk in over the last couple of days, and you suddenly realise that you’re actually leaving and going over to play in the World Cup. “It’s pretty cool, but definitely a good time to reflect on what you’ve done to get here and journey so far.” Sharp grew up in Timaru and like so many of her peers, found there were no local all-girls cricket teams at a young age, so she started playing with her two older brothers in the backyard. “I decided that I actually really liked cricket. We drove to Christchurch to play, and I was quite a keen sportsperson, so I juggled it with my swimming and hockey at the time. “Mum and Dad would drive me up to Christchurch twice a week from Timaru to play with the girls and then when I was in Year 12 at Craighead Diocesan School, I finally decided that cricket was probably the sport I wanted to play when I was older, so I quit swimming and put all my focus into that, and now I’m here.” After making her senior debut for Canterbury in 2022, Sharp was fortunate to be surrounded by experienced teammates such as Amy Satterthwaite and Frankie Mackay, and is grateful for the guidance and...
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