Amelia Kerr has been named the new captain of the New Zealand women’s cricket team across all formats, taking over from Sophie Devine. Devine retired from One-Day Internationals after the 2025 World Cup and stepped down as T20I captain, paving the way for Kerr’s promotion to the leadership position. Kerr will begin her tenure as captain in the upcoming home ODI and T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Kerr made her international debut in 2016 and has since developed into one of New Zealand’s leading all-rounders. She has played 84 ODIs and 88 T20Is and has amassed considerable experience at the highest level of the women’s game.
During her ODI career, Kerr scored 2,304 runs at an average of 41.14 and took 106 wickets at an average of 30.61. In T20Is, she contributed 1,453 runs at a strike rate of 109.74 besides claiming 95 wickets at an economy rate of 6.09.
Kerr’s leadership credits include leading the Wellington Blaze to back-to-back Super Smash titles in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons. Her time in charge of the Blaze was marked by consistent team performances and success in domestic competitions.
WHAT DID KERR SAY ABOUT HER NEW ROLE?
Kerr was thrilled to be appointed as the new captain but said the role would not change who she is as a person and her aim would be to bring success to New Zealand.
“Captain doesn’t change who I am, I’m still the same person and I’ll do everything I can to lead this group and hopefully bring success to our country,” Kerr said in a statement from New Zealand Cricket. “One of my favorite quotes is: ‘He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tngata, He Tngata, He Tngata. We are people first. As a group, we look out for each other, celebrate successes and represent our people.
“Encouraging others and building belief around us so we can all be the best we can be, as people and as cricketers.”
Kerr’s biggest test will come in the form of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which she will begin
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Published on:
February 16, 2026