Tahuhu, Bezuidenhout return to NZC contract list
There was also a maiden contract for Northern Districts batter Kate Anderson who recently broke records in the Super Smash
ESPNcricinfo staff
21-Jun-2023
Lea Tahuhu had missed out on a central contract last year • Associated Press
Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu and wicketkeeper-batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout have both returned to New Zealand's central contract list for the 2023-24 season, joining a core of experienced players such as Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates.
There was also a maiden contract for Northern Districts batter Kate Anderson, who was recently named the Women's Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards following her exploits at the Super Smash, where she topped the run-scoring charts with 536 runs from 12 matches at an average of 59.55 - the most by a batter in a single season.
Tahuhu, who did not get a central contract last year, remains a key member of New Zealand's bowling unit, while Bezuidenhout returns to the contract list for the first time since the 2019-20 season following a two-year absence from cricket as she recovered from RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). Bezuidenhout eventually made her return to the New Zealand side during the T20 World Cup in South Africa in January.
However, there were no contracts for wicketkeeper Jessica McFadyen and allrounder Nensi Patel, who were both contracted for the 2022-23 season. Auckland batter Lauren Down opted not to accept a contract due to family reasons.
"We're pleased with the high performance structures we've integrated in the women's space and believe that they will enable future success on the world stage," Liz Green, the NZC Head of Female High Performance, said. "We think that these players possess the skills and appetite to develop as cricketers and represent New Zealand well on the world stage."
Last year, NZC announced that its female cricketers will earn the same match fees as the men under a new five-year deal struck between NZC, the six major associations, and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, meaning a substantial pay boost at international and domestic levels.
New Zealand's immediate assignment is a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka starting next week, but they'll be without the injured Anderson (finger), Hayley Jensen (knee) and Jess Kerr (toe).
New Zealand 2023-24 contract list: Kate Anderson, Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu