The New Zealand Women’s team has named a 13-member squad for the ODI series against South Africa that begins from Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Northern Brave fast bowler Kayley Knight has been included in the squad along with captain Melie Kerr. Knight is joining in replacement for Molly Penfold. The team also includes Suzie Bates, Flora Devonshire, and Georgia Plimmer will join the squad replacing Emma McLeod, Polly Inglis, and Bella James.
Knight helped the Brave win their maiden Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield title. She ended her campaign as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker in the competition. Meanwhile skipper Kerr heads is coming off a dominant performance against Zimbabwe by taking 16 wickets in three matches. She also got two five-wicket hauls and currently has the best ODI figures in the White Ferns history with 7-34.
White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer has shared his excitement on Knight joining the squad for the series and the role she will play for the team.
“It’s great to call Kayley up for her first ODI series. Kayley’s got good pace and control, and a short ball that regularly challenges batters. She was an integral part of the Brave’s title-winning HBJ campaign and has shown she has the tools to hold her in good stead in the international game,” Sawyer said.
Sawyer added that the team is coming off a great momentum having finished the season with a T20 series victory.
“Coming off the back of a T20s series win I know the team are eager to back it up in the ODIs. It’s been a packed backend to the summer for the White Ferns and we’re looking forward to wrapping the season up with another competitive series,” he added.
The series will kick off on March 29 at Hagley Oval, followed by the two morning games scheduled at Cello Basin Reserve on April 1 and 4. All matches will be broadcasted live in New Zealand on TVNZ DUKE and TVNZ+ and Sport Nation.
New Zealand ODI Squad for South Africa:
Melie Kerr (C), Suzie Bates, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Jess Kerr, Kayley Knight, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp
