After Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu Also Loses NZC Contract

A day after the most-experienced White Ferns’ player and former skipper Amy Satterthwaite declared her retirement from international cricket following national contract dismay, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has likewise dropped veteran pacer Lea Tahuhu among others from the 2022-23 contract list.

NZC featured six new faces for the 17-part pool while leaving out Katey Martin (who retired last week), Canterbury Magicians’ trio Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu and Frankie Mackay, and Wellington Blaze pair Leigh Kasperek and Thamsyn Newton from the last year’s list.

3 June Last Date To Accept Contract Proposal According To NZC’s Master Agreement

The new additions are Auckland Hearts triplet Fran Jonas, Molly Penfold, and Izzy Gaze, off-spinners Nensi Patel (Northern Brave) and Eden Carson (Otago Sparks), and Wellington Blaze player, Georgia Plimmer.

The players have until June 3 to accept or reject their proposals according to NZC’s Master Agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.

Recognizing the extreme calls that were made thinking of the agreements list, the NZC GM of High-Performance Cricket, Bryan Stronach, said that it’s not really the stopping point for those left ‘disheartened’ by it.

“They have given their all; have made great sacrifices, and retain our absolute respect,” he said.

“It’s also important to emphasize that, just because someone hasn’t received a national contract offer, it doesn’t mean they cannot, or will not, be selected. This (national contracts) is about having on contract the players we’re most likely to use during the next 12-month period,” he added.

“It’s never easy coming up with a final 17 players.

“Having said that, we’re excited about the six new faces receiving contract offers, several of whom already have some White Ferns experience under their belt. To be in a position in which we’re genuinely considering the credentials of a wider pool of players can only be viewed as a positive for the women’s game.

Frans Jonas And Georgia Plimmer Offered New Contracts

Among the new additions to the list, teenaged left-arm spinner Jonas (5 ODI covers) was a member of New Zealand’s home World Cup squad while Plimmer was a late injury substitution of Lauren Down.

“Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold have both spent a decent amount of time with the group and we hope they’ll continue to develop and grow in the environment. Izzy Gaze joins Jess McFadyen as another wicket-keeping option and we look forward to those two working together to improve their skills.

“Georgia Plimmer was a late injury replacement in our World Cup squad last season, so has been around the group, while Nensi Patel and Eden Carson have both shone at the domestic level.”

Also Read: Amy Satterthwaite Retires From International Cricket