Sport

Lea Tahuhu latest to miss out on White Ferns contract

17:16 pm on 27 May 2022

A day after Amy Satterthwaite decided to retire, partner Lea Tahuhu is also on the outer with New Zealand Cricket after failing to gain a White Ferns contract.

Lea Tahuhu Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Satterthwaite decided to retire after she was told she would not get a contract for the 2022-23 cricketing year.

Today Tahuhu's name was missing from the 17-players named to receive contracts by New Zealand Cricket.

Since debuting in 2011, 31-year-old Tahuhu has played 83 ODI internationals and 61 T20 internationals.

The pace bowler is keen to get back into the White Ferns in the future.

Tahuhu said the cut-throat contracting process had not dented her relationship with New Zealand Cricket.

"Not being offered a contract is one thing but it doesn't mean that you can't be selected in the future so for me that's something I'm holding on to," Tahuhu said.

"I do hope to play for New Zealand again, I think I've got a lot to offer still and if a new coach did come in and decide that they wanted me to be a part of that I would be more than open to being able to pull on that shirt again.

"I've been bowling some of the best of my career but that's not always what decisions are based on, I guess, so you have to respect the decision and the view that New Zealand Cricket have taken."

There are six new players in the group of 17.

They are: Auckland Hearts trio Fran Jonas, Molly Penfold and Izzy Gaze, off-spinners Nensi Patel (Northern Brave) and Eden Carson (Otago Sparks) and Wellington Blaze batter Georgia Plimmer.

The remaining contracted players all featured on last season's list and they all have until 3 June to accept or decline their offers as per NZC's Master Agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association.

Canterbury Magicians trio Satterthwaite, Tahuhu and Frankie Mackay and Wellington Blaze duo Leigh Kasperek and Thamsyn Newton have missed out on receiving offers to renew their existing contracts.

"Over men's and women's contracting lists, I don't think there has ever been six changes to a contract list so they've certainly decided to go in a new direction and drop the axe quite willingly," Tahuhu said.

Another contracted White Fern, Katey Martin, was not considered after retiring from all forms of cricket last week.

Tahuhu believed the contract list would have looked different if the White Ferns achieved different results at the recent Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

"If we did make a semi-final or a final I guess it would be harder for these decisions to be made."

NZC GM of High Performance Cricket Bryan Stronach acknowledged some tough calls had to be made as the team and NZC considered the next few seasons.

"It's never easy coming up with a final 17 players," said Stronach.

"Having said that, we're excited about the six new faces receiving contract offers, several of whom already have some international experience under their belt.

"To be in a position in which we're genuinely considering the credentials of a wider pool of players can only be viewed as a positive for the women's game."

Fran Jonas Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020

Stronach said there would "clearly" be some players disappointed to miss out and, in terms of that, wanted to acknowledge the commitment and professionalism those not being offered contract renewals had brought to the White Ferns environment.

"They have given their all; have made great sacrifices and retain our absolute respect," he said.

"It's also important to emphasise that, just because someone hasn't received a national contract offer, it doesn't mean they cannot, or will not, be selected.

"This is about having on contract the players we're most likely to use during the next 12-month period."

Stronach said the six new faces had the potential to become well-performed and successful White Ferns.

"Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold have both spent a decent amount of time with the group and we hope they'll continue to develop and grow in the environment.

"Izzy Gaze joins Jess McFadyen as another wicket-keeping option and we look forward to those two working together to improve their skills.

"Georgia Plimmer was a late injury replacement in our World Cup squad last season, so has been around the group, while Nensi Patel and Eden Carson have both shone at domestic level."

In compiling the list of offers, an NZC contract review group, managed by Stronach, considered likely playing values over the next twelve months, calculating in past performances, playing history, the upcoming playing schedule, and likelihood of players being involved during that period.

Players offered central contracts for 2022-23:

Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe