New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has awarded contracts to seventeen female cricketers, with 21-year-old Bree Illing and 26-year-old Bella James earning their first contracts. The duo, who are presently touring England with New Zealand A, filled the contract gaps left by Hayley Jensen and Sophie Devine.
While Jensen retired earlier this year, Devine plans to leave the ODI format after competing in the 50-over World Cup in India and Sri Lanka later this year. The latter has agreed to continue playing T20Is with the White Ferns under a casual playing agreement.
Bree Illing, a left-arm swing bowler from Auckland, made her ODI and T20I debuts against Sri Lanka this summer.
She was Auckland’s leading wicket-taker in domestic cricket last season, with an average of 21. Meanwhile, James’ deal comes after she consistently performed with the bat to help Otago win another Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield title. Her ODI and T20I debuts came against Australia in December 2024 and March 2025, respectively.
Ben Sawyer, New Zealand women’s head coach, offered his thoughts on the two excellent players. He praised Illing’s performance in the series against Sri Lanka, where she dismissed Chamari Athapaththu on two occasions. Meanwhile, Sawyer believes James has what it takes to compete at the international level, citing her performance against Australia last year.
“Bree played an outstanding series against Sri Lanka.” “To perform so well against a world-class batter like Chamari Athapaththu demonstrates that she is ready for international cricket,” Sawyer was quoted as saying by.
“Bella has been a steady performer at the domestic level, with a strong debut series against Australia last year. “She has the skills that we believe will enable her to succeed on a global scale,” he continued.
The full list of 17 central contracts includes batters Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Gaze, Bella James, and Polly Inglis, allrounders Amelia Kerr and Hannah Rowe, and bowlers Eden Carson, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing, Molly Penfold, and Lea Tahuhu.
India
