Batter Lauren Down is making a comeback to New Zealand Cricket’s list of centrally contracted women players. She is among the 17 players who have been offered a central contract for the 2024-25 season. Down had declined the contract last season due to a maternity break but has now been named in the ODI squad to tour England.
Having played 28 ODIs and 13 T20Is, Down’s last appearance for New Zealand was in an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022. The contracting period for 2024-25 starts on August 1, and players have until June 17 to accept the offer.
Another new addition to the contracts list is wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis, who has received a central contract for the first time. Inglis impressed with her performances, scoring 103 runs for New Zealand A in the one-day series against England A and 324 runs in the Women’s One-Day Competition.
New Zealand women’s head coach Ben Sawyer expressed confidence in the selected 17 players, emphasizing their importance in the upcoming year. The focus this year includes preparing for the 2025 ODI World Cup, and the contracted players are seen as key contributors to the team’s success.
Notable exclusions from the central contract offers include retired wicketkeeper-batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout and batter Kate Anderson, who did not receive an offer for the upcoming season.
The full list of players offered central contracts for 2024-25 includes Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, and Lea Tahuhu. These players are expected to play a vital role in New Zealand’s women’s cricket over the next year.