Knight on ‘classy’ ND women’s list for 2023-24 season

Kayley Knight (pictured) has been joined by New Zealand under-19 teammate Tash Wakelin in the ND women’s squad. Herald file picture

Gisborne’s Kaley Knight is among the  13-strong list of contracted players for the 2023-24 Northern Districts women’s team.

Four new faces have made a list ND Cricket described as “a classy line-up”.

“Powerhouse batter and right-arm off-spin bowler Jess Watkin joins ND, bringing valuable leadership experience, having captained the Central Hinds,” ND Cricket said in a media release.

Watkin was called up for the White Ferns in 2018 and has played six one-day internationals and nine T20 internationals.

Eve Wolland is in the contract mix for the first time this season, having made her domestic debut with ND last season in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and Super Smash competitions.

Tash Wakelin is the third new name on the list. She and Knight represented New Zealand in the Under-19 Women’s World Cup, with Wakelin the top wicket-taker for the side over the tournament.

Yaz Kareem also makes the contract list for the first time.

“Having broken her finger on debut for ND in November 2022, the all-rounder spent most of last season in recovery but is back and has shown great form in off-season training.”

There is no shortage of familiar faces in the contract list. ND’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield One Day Player of the Year, Caitlin Gurrey, is back after a cracker 22-23 season that included a New Zealand domestic List A record knock of 183 in the HBJ one-day competition against the Central Hinds. She brought up her 2000th List A run last season and was named ND’s HBJ Player of the Year.

“All-rounder Nensi Patel is another one to watch for this season, with her heroic fielding efforts entertaining spectators and commentators alike.

“Excellent performances in all areas of the game earned her honours at the ND 22-23 awards night, named Dream11 Super Smash Female T20 Player of the Year and Nicola Browne Medal Female Player of the Year.

White Ferns contracted player and comeback story of the 22-23 season, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, also calls ND home for any domestic fixtures she’s available for.

The wicketkeeper-batter was recalled to the White Ferns earlier this year, selected for February’s T20 World Cup in her birth country of South Africa.

Her  return to the White Ferns after two years away from the sport, while recovering from Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, was a special moment.

ND will host the White Ferns at Seddon Park in April for two ODI fixtures against England.

Key ND player, Eimear Richardson, is absent from the Northern Districts contract list due to international contract commitments with Ireland but she will still be an integral part of the playing group for the season.

ND women’s head Coach Peter Borren is delighted with the squad and new talent coming through the ranks.

“We have some experienced senior players and some super talented youngsters on our contract list.”

ND Contracted Players 2023-24: Carol Agafili, Sam Barriball, Lucy Boucher, Marama Downes, Caitlin Gurrey, Yaz Kareem, Kayley Knight, Shriya Naidu, Nensi Patel, Holly Topp, Tash Wakelin, Jess Watkin, Eve Wolland, Bernadine Bezuidenhout (White Ferns-contracted player to play for ND when available).