Four new players contracted

WELLINGTON: Four newcomers have been named in the list of 15 White Ferns contracted for the upcoming season.

Central Districts allrounder Jess Watkin, Northern Districts wicketkeeper Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Canterbury allrounders Hayley Jensen and Kate Ebrahim make the cut for the first time.

Veteran Rachel Priest, along with Thamsyn Newton and Anna Peterson, have missed out on contracts after being included last year, while Canterbury’s Erin Bermingham has retired from international cricket.

Watkin has been offered a

White Ferns contract on the back of an impressive start to her international career.

The 20yearold Watkin and Bezuidenhout both debuted on the recent tour of Ireland and England, where the former was able to cement her place in the

oneday international and twenty20 sides with some impressive performances with bat and ball.

‘‘It really is a dream come true to be offered my first fulltime professional contract,’’ Watkin said. ‘‘Getting a taste of international cricket in Ireland and England left me wanting more and it’s awesome that I’ll now be able to train and play all year round.’’

The other two players added to the list from last year are Canterbury Magicians allrounders Hayley Jensen and Kate Ebrahim, who both made successful comebacks to the White Ferns this year.

The White Ferns play Australia in three T20s before the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in November and then play a home series against India in the new year.—