Tahuhu, who did not get a central contract last year, remains a key member of New Zealand’s bowling unit, while Bezuidenhout returns to the contract list for the first time since the 2019-20 season following a two-year absence from cricket as she recovered from RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). Bezuidenhout eventually made her return to the New Zealand side during the T20 World Cup in South Africa in January.
However, there were no contracts for wicketkeeper Jess McFayden and allrounder Nensi Patel, who were both contracted for the 2022-23 season. Auckland batter Lauren Down opted not to accept a contract due to family reasons.
“We’re pleased with the high performance structures we’ve integrated in the women’s space and believe that they will enable future success on the world stage,” Liz Green, the NZC Head of Female High Performance, said. “We think that these players possess the skills and appetite to develop as cricketers and represent New Zealand well on the world stage.”
New Zealand’s immediate assignment is a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka starting next week, but they’ll be without the injured Anderson (finger), Hayley Jensen (knee) and Jess Kerr (toe).
New Zealand 2023-24 contract list: Kate Anderson, Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu