Star New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr has been appointed as the White Ferns’ new all-format captain.
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Kerr replaces Sophie Devine, who stepped down from T20I captaincy and retired from ODI cricket after the 2025 World Cup.
Her first assignment as full-time skipper will be a multi-format white-ball series against Zimbabwe at home. The two sides will play three T20 Internationals on February 25, 27 and March 1, followed by three ODIs scheduled for March 5, 8 and 11.
Reacting to her appointment, Kerr said the added responsibility would not change her identity as a player or teammate.
“The captaincy doesn’t change who I am. I’m still the same person and will give everything I can to lead this group and hopefully bring success to our country,” she said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket.
Quoting a Māori proverb, she added: “He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata — what is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people. We are people first. As a group, we look out for one another, celebrate each other’s success and represent our people with pride.”
Sawyer backs Amelia Kerr to lead next era
White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer expressed confidence that Kerr is the ideal successor to Devine.
“She has a strong understanding of the game and valuable leadership experience, both from captaining the White Ferns previously and leading the Wellington Blaze over the past three years,” Sawyer said.
“We believe leading the White Ferns can take Melie’s game to the next level, and we know she’s ready to step up. Having her in charge at this stage of her career gives us continuity and stability through the next cycle to 2029.”
Kerr’s appointment signals a new chapter for New Zealand women’s cricket as they build toward the next global cycle under fresh leadership.
