Flora Devonshire, Nensi Patel, and Izzy Sharp are the three newcomers who have been added to the central contract for New Zealand’s 26-27 season.
Flora Devonshire and Izzy Sharp used to be part of NZC’s Central Players of Interest Programme. The programme aims to develop and help players who have a lot of potential. Meanwhile, Nensi Patel is returning to the central contract after receiving her first in the 2022-2023 season.
The three will replace Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, and Lea Tahuhu on the list. Sophie Devine, who was a part of the casual players’ contract is not a part of it anymore. Lauren Down has already retired from international cricket, while Bates, Tahuhu, along with Devine are set to retire after the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Devonshire is a left-arm batting all-rounder from Central Districts. She made her debut in March 2025 and was called up in both World Cup squads. Patel is a spin-bowling all-rounder from Northern Districts, who made her debut in February. She has since taken 9 wickets in T20Is, averages 9.8, and has an economy rate of 4.04. She also took 4 wickets (18 runs) in New Zealand’s first warm-up game for the 2026 T20 Women’s World Cup, against Bangladesh.
Izzy Sharp is a right-handed batter. She’s from Timaru, she also captained New Zealand during the inaugural Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup in 2023. Sharp is an important player for Canterbury Magicians, and during the 25-26 Super Smash season, she was the team’s leading scorer. Izzy averaged 30 and had a strike rate of 128.
Ben Sawyer, the head coach of White Ferns said, “Flora’s a clean striker with lots of power. Being left-handed, she offers a point of difference as she’s able to hit to different areas of the field, and there’s the bonus of her left-arm orthodox bowling. Nensi’s consistently accurate with the ball, and she has great control over her length and pace.
“Izzy’s batting has been building from strength to strength. She possesses similar qualities to Sophie and with Soph stepping away from international cricket soon, it’s really exciting to bring someone with Izzy’s power onto a central contract so we can keep working with her to develop those skills.”
