THE 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is just around the corner, and will see 10 teams from across the world battle it out in South Africa to be crowned World Champions for another three years.

In the lead up to the tournament, we here at Rookie Me Central will be previewing the teams one by one, and taking a deep dive into their chances at the upcoming tournament.

In the next instalment, it is time to take a look at New Zealand.

If New Zealand is looking to do only one thing this World Cup, it would be to turn around its recent run of form at World Cups and return to matching it with the likes of Australia and India.

Last time at the World Cup, the White Ferns failed to make it out of their group, finishing third, so will be looking to avoid the same fate this time around.

They did win bronze at the Commonwealth Games last year, so that will give them some confidence heading into this tournament.

Considering the countries in their group, they are a genuine chance of progressing, if not a fancy to do so.

They should have no issue accounting for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, though beating Australia looms as a tall order. That means it all comes down to the game against hosts South Africa in determining how far they can progress.

However, it is not all smooth sailing for the Kiwis at the moment.

There is an injury cloud over skipper and star allrounder Sophie Devine, so the New Zealanders will be desperately hoping she pulls through and is able to play.

Another player under a bit of an injury cloud is Fran Jonas, who missed most of the Under 19 World Cup and will be hoping to pull through in time for the senior tournament.

Speaking of the Under 19 World Cup, Georgia Plimmer is also backing up and doing the double, so she can provide experience of the conditions to this New Zealand side.

Of the more senior brigade in the squad there is no shortage of talent, it just needs to all needs to click for the Kiwis.

Suzie Bates is still a dominant force with bat in hand, while the Kerr sisters Amelia and Jess are just as dominant with the ball.

There are also some returning faces to the set up, including the likes of Bernadine Bezuidenhout. Bezuidenhout has not played for the national side for a few years now, but will be keen to make the most of her opportunity back in the team.

New Zealand Squad

Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

New Zealand Fixture (all dates local)

February 11 – Australia
February 13 – South Africa
February 17 – Bangladesh
February 19 – Sri Lanka