Cricket: Returning Lauren Down among list of White Ferns centrally contracted players for 2024/25

Batter Lauren Down has returned to the White Ferns contract list for the 2024-25 season.

Down declined the contract offer last season to take a maternity break but has opted back in, after being named to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming one-day internationals against England.

The lone newcomer in the list is wicketkeeper Polly Inglis, who earned selection on the back of a stellar campaign with Otago Sparks where she finished the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield's second highest run scorer.

Players omitted from last season are the retiring Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Canterbury batter Kate Anderson, who didn't receive an offer.

The remainder of the list is a familiar mix of players who have retained their contracts, including captain Sophie Devine alongside fellow veterans Suzie Bates, Melie Kerr, Maddy Green and Lea Tahuhu.

Coach Ben Sawyer says he's pleased with the overall balance of the group, as they prepare for next year's World Cup.

"We've landed on a strong list of 17 names that we think are going to play an important part over the next 12 months," said Sawyer.

"It's a familiar group made up of experienced and younger players that we believe are going to drive this team forward."

"I'm excited about the way this group are progressing together and what they can achieve over the next year."

White Ferns central contract offers 2024-25:  Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

Batter Lauren Down has returned to the White Ferns contract list for the 2024-25 season.

Down declined the contract offer last season to take a maternity break but has opted back in, after being named to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming one-day internationals against England.

The lone newcomer in the list is wicketkeeper Polly Inglis, who earned selection on the back of a stellar campaign with Otago Sparks where she finished the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield's second highest run scorer.

Players omitted from last season are the retiring Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Canterbury batter Kate Anderson, who didn't receive an offer.

The remainder of the list is a familiar mix of players who have retained their contracts, including captain Sophie Devine alongside fellow veterans Suzie Bates, Melie Kerr, Maddy Green and Lea Tahuhu.

Coach Ben Sawyer says he's pleased with the overall balance of the group, as they prepare for next year's World Cup.

"We've landed on a strong list of 17 names that we think are going to play an important part over the next 12 months," said Sawyer.

"It's a familiar group made up of experienced and younger players that we believe are going to drive this team forward."

"I'm excited about the way this group are progressing together and what they can achieve over the next year."

White Ferns central contract offers 2024-25:  Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

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