All-rounder Amelia Kerr has been appointed New Zealand captain across all formats, succeeding Sophie Devine, who retired from ODIs after the 2025 World
Cup and stepped down from T20I captaincy. Kerr’s first assignment as full-time skipper will be a home ODI and T20I series against Zimbabwe later this month.
The 25-year-old has represented New Zealand in 84 ODIs and 88 T20Is since making her international debut in 2016. She has accumulated 2,304 runs in ODIs at an average of 41.14 and claimed 106 wickets at 30.61. In T20Is, Kerr has scored 1,453 runs at a strike rate of 109.74 and taken 95 wickets, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.09. Kerr also brings leadership experience, having guided Wellington Blaze to consecutive Super Smash titles in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
"The captaincy doesn't change who I am, I am still the same person and will give everything I can to lead this group and hopefully bring our country success. One of my favourite quotes is: 'He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata. We are people first. As a group we look out for each other, we celebrate each other's success and we represent our people. Encouraging others and building belief around us so we can all be the best we can be both as people and as cricketers,” said Kerr in a statement as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer acknowledged that Amelia Kerr has been an integral part of the squad and praised her as an outstanding leader. He expressed confidence in her ability to guide the team across formats. The New Zealand squads for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe will be announced on February 20. The three-match T20I series is scheduled to begin on February 25 in Hamilton.
"Melie has been an integral member of the squad for many years and deeply understands what it means to be a White Fern and represent New Zealand. She's an outstanding leader not only through her performances on the field, but also in the respect she has from the playing group off it,” said Sawyer.
“She has a sound understanding of the game and has strong leadership experience from the games she has captained the White Ferns [in] and her time leading the Wellington Blaze over the past three years. We believe leading the White Ferns can take Melie's game to the next level and know she's ready to step up and lead this team forward. Melie leading this team at this stage of her career ensures we have continuity and stability through the next cycle to 2029,” he added.
