Uncapped allrounder Devonshire earns New Zealand ODI World Cup squad spot
Fran Jonas is a notable omission from the squad which will lean heavily on the experience of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr
ESPNcricinfo staff
10-Sep-2025 • 4 hrs ago
Flora Devonshire during her T20I debut earlier this year • Getty Images
Allrounder Flora Devonshire, who is uncapped at ODI level, has been included in New Zealand's squad for the upcoming women's ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Polly Inglis, Bella James and Bree Illing, who have just eight ODIs between them, have also been included for their first World Cup campaigns.
Devonshire, a 22-year-old left-arm spinner, made her T20I debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year and was part of the New Zealand A tour of England in June and July. Her inclusion in the 15-player squad meant that fellow left-arm spinner Fran Jonas, who has 26 ODIs to her name, was a notable omission.
"It's never easy when you have multiple players pushing for the same spot and that of course made for some tough selection calls," head coach Ben Sawyer said. "Having to leave out the likes of Fran in favour of Flora was a tough decision. We know Fran is a quality player and at 21 we believe she still has her best years in front of her."
Left-arm seamer Illing took four wickets in her first ODI series against Sri Lanka, while James made her ODI debut against Australia late last year. Inglis, who hit an unbeaten 34 off 21 balls in her second outing against Sri Lanka in March, will also provide wicketkeeping back-up to first-choice Izzy Gaze.
"I'd like to especially acknowledge the four players set for their first World Cup - they've all earned this opportunity and I'm excited to see what impact they can have on the tournament," Sawyer said. "I'm really pleased with the balance of the squad. I think we've got the right mix to tackle what we'll come up against in terms of conditions and opposition."
"Bree puts batters under pressure early with her swing and has great ability with the new ball. Her and Flora have both shown they can consistently bring the stumps into play, which will be effective in the conditions we're going to face.
"Flora's got an attacking mind and skillset with the bat, which is valuable down the order. Bella's a versatile batter who can hit 360 degrees around the ground and can bat in most places in the line up.
"Polly gives us another option with the gloves within the squad, and she possesses great grit and determination, which are qualities that will be important in trying conditions."
The experienced core of the squad includes captain Sophie Devine, who will retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup, Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu, Maddy Green and Amelia Kerr.
"I can honestly say that in the four world events I've been part of with this group, we are the best prepared we've ever been," Sawyer said. "Having no international cricket in our calendar since April has given us the ability to work really hard on our physical skills in particular, which is something that could be the difference in India."
The squad leaves for the UAE on September 13 for a pre-tournament camp, which includes two warm-up matches against England, before heading to India. Their opening World Cup match is against Australia on October 1 in Indore.