Defending champions New Zealand have announced the squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 which will commence from June 12 in England. The 15-member squad comprises of a mix of experience and youth, with veterans Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu set to take part in their final edition of the marquee tournament before hanging up their boots. New Zealand Women will commence their T20 WC campaign on June 13 by taking on West Indies in their tournament opener.
New Zealand squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu
The three veterans Tahuhu, Devine and Bates will retire after the T20 World Cup 2026, as announced earlier. Kiwi coach Ben Sawyer expressed confidence in the trio being highly motivated to lead the team to their second consecutive title an claimed that it was a special occasion where three senior-most players will end their careers together in the same tournament. New Zealand will feature in Group 2 at the T20 World Cup and will face fixtures against England, Ireland, Scotland, Sri Lanka and the West Indies prior to the knockout stages.
“To have our three most senior players all finishing their careers at the same tournament is a rare and special occasion. All three have had distinguished careers in their own right and given so much to this team and the game in general. There’ll be a time at the end of the tournament to further acknowledge and celebrate the trio and I know at present they’re very focussed on performing well in their final mission with the team,” Ben Sawyer said.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup groups
Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands
Group 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland
New Zealand schedule for Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Stage | Time (IST) |
| 13/06/2026 | vs West Indies | Hampshire Bowl | Group 2 | 23:00 IST |
| 16/06/2026 | vs Sri Lanka | Hampshire Bowl | Group 2 | 19:00 IST |
| 19/06/2026 | vs Ireland | Hampshire Bowl | Group 2 | 23:00 IST |
| 23/06/2026 | vs Scotland | Bristol County Ground | Group 2 | 15:00 IST |
| 27/06/2026 | vs England | The Oval | Group 2 | 23:00 IST |
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