New Zealand have added experienced 29-year-old bowler Hannah Rowe to their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup squad. She replaces young all-rounder Flora Devonshire, who has been ruled out of the tournament after she injured her hand during a training session at Holkar Stadium in Indore.
“We’re all feeling for Flora; she worked hard to earn her spot in this squad and it’s a real shame her tournament is ending early,” head coach Ben Sawyer said, acknowledging the setback for the team.
Devonshire, who is just 22 years old, cut her dominant hand during a fielding drill and she will need several weeks to recover. She had played for New Zealand in two T20 internationals against Sri Lanka earlier this year and was not selected in the playing XI for the White Ferns’ in their opening World Cup match against Australia.
Rowe was born in Palmerston North, and has represented New Zealand in 60 ODIs, taking 65 wickets at an average of 27.83. Her most recent match was in March. She is expected to fly to Guwahati to join the team ahead of their third group game against Bangladesh on October 10.
“ We’re pleased to be able to call up a senior player in Hannah Rowe,” said Sawyer. “Hannah’s obviously not a like-for-like replacement for Flora, but she offers an all-round skillset and has experience in sub-continent conditions.”
New Zealand are chasing their first win of the tournament after they lost against defending champions Australia in their first match. They will next play South Africa in Indore on Monday.
New Zealand updated Squad:
Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.
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