The 25-year-old has represented New Zealand in 84 ODIs and 88 T20Is since her international debut in 2016. She has amassed 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 led Wellington Blaze to back-to-back Super Smash titles in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
“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. One of my favorite quotes is: ‘He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata. We are people first. As a group, we care for each other, celebrate each other’s success and represent our people. Encourage others and build faith around us so that we can all be the best we can be both as people and as cricketers,” Kerr said in a statement 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 excellent leader. He expressed his confidence in her ability to guide the team through different formats. The New Zealand squads for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe will be announced on February 20. The three-match T20I series starts on February 25 in Hamilton.
“Melie has been an integral member of the squad for many years and understands very well what it means to be a White Fern and represent New Zealand. She is an excellent leader, not only through her performances on the field, but also through the respect she has from the playing group off it,” said Sawyer.
“She has a good understanding of the game and has strong leadership experience during the matches in which she has captained the White Ferns [in] and her time leading the Wellington Blaze for the past three years. We believe leading the White Ferns can take Melie’s game to the next level and know she is ready to step up and lead this team forward. Melie leading this team at this stage of her career will ensure we have continuity and stability through the next cycle until 2029,” he added.
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