Cricket: White Ferns sign trio of new players for 2021/22

  • 26/05/2021

Northern Spirit batter Brooke Halliday, Canterbury Magicians all-rounder Frankie Mackay and Wellington Blaze wicketkeeper Jess McFadyen have all earned their first White Ferns contracts.

The trio are the three new faces on the 17-strong list for the 2021/22 season.

Halliday announced herself on the international cricketing stage last season, with back-to-back half centuries against England.

Mackay's inclusion comes off the back of a strong 2020/21 that peaked in Napier, with her T20 matchwinning double of 46 runs and 2/20 bowling against Australia.

"Brooke and Frankie's performances last season were very encouraging, and we're looking forward to working closely with those two over the winter," says White Ferns coach Bob Carter.

"Both have leadership experience at the domestic level and have plenty to add to the group off the park, as well as on it."

The Blaze pair of Newton and McFadyen are included after strong domestic form, while Blaze all-rounder Thamsyn Newton - previously contracted from 2016-2018 - earns a recall.

"We welcome back Thamsyn, and are especially excited about her athletic capacity and skills in all three facets of the game," Carter says.

"Jess McFadyen is an exciting prospect and had strong campaigns in both the Dream11 Super Smash and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield."

Previously contracted internationals Katie Perkins, Holly Huddleston, Anna Peterson and Natalie Dodd are the casualties from last season's group, and weren't offered new deals for the upcoming season.

Carter is looking forward to an England tour over the winter, while the Women's Cricket World Cup on home soil looms ever closer on the horizon.

"I would like to congratulate those players returning, but especially those receiving a contract for the first time," says Carter.

The White Ferns begin their winter training programme with a camp at Lincoln University, starting on June 7.

2021-22 contracted White Ferns: Suzie Bates (Otago), Sophie Devine (Wellington), Lauren Down (Auckland), Maddy Green (Wellington), Brooke Halliday (Northern Districts), Hayley Jensen (Otago), Leigh Kasperek (Wellington), Melie Kerr (Wellington), Jess Kerr (Wellington), Frankie Mackay (Canterbury), Jess McFadyen (Wellington), Rosemary Mair (Central Districts), Katey Martin (Otago), Thamsyn Newton (Wellington)