New Zealand's senior stars set to retire after T20 World Cup 2026

New Zealand's T20 World Cup squad includes ten returning champions and three retiring veterans.

Final World Cup call for legends Suzy Bates, who will turn 39 in September 2026, declared this month it would be her last international campaign. The retirements of Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu, aged 36 and 35, were confirmed when New Zealand Cricket unveiled the squad defending their T20 title. The trio will conclude stellar careers together at the upcoming tournament in England. New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer noted it would mark a historic transition for the team. ## Squad continuity with new faces Ten members of the 2024-winning XI remain in the 15-player squad: Amelia Kerr, Bates, Devine, Tahuhu, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair and Georgia Plimmer. First-time T20 World Cup players include left-arm seamer Bree Illing, wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis, and left-arm spinner Flora Devonshire, all of whom featured in last year’s ODI World Cup. Offspinner Nensi Patel made her T20I debut in February 2026, claiming six wickets at 3.56 economy from four matches. Wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Sharp has played 11 T20Is since her debut in March 2025. ## Coach praises rising stars Ben Sawyer highlighted the significance of representing the nation at World Cups in a statement. He said, 'Any time you're chosen to represent your country on the world stage it's an honour, but World Cups hold an elevated level of importance and I'm certain everyone can't wait to get on the plane.' Sawyer added, 'It's going to be an extra special time for Izzy and Nensi with it being their first World Cup. They've comfortably taken to international cricket this summer and should both have confidence heading into this next challenge.' ## Honoring departing veterans Sawyer described the simultaneous exits of Devine, Bates and Tahuhu as a rare and special moment. He stated, 'To have our three most senior players all finishing their careers at the same tournament is a rare and special occasion.' Sawyer acknowledged their contributions across years of service to the team and the sport. Plans are already in place to celebrate the trio after the tournament concludes. ## Pre-World Cup fixtures revealed New Zealand will face England in a three-match T20I series starting in late May 2026 before the official World Cup warm-up period on June 7. Sawyer remarked, 'I believe we've landed on a well-balanced squad that features a mix of experience and exciting young talent.' He added that batting depth had been prioritized over the past year, with positive results seen in recent home series against South Africa and Zimbabwe. ## Bowling competition intensifies The pace battery is currently competing for starting spots, reflecting the team’s bowling strength. Sawyer noted this depth as a positive sign of squad health. The campaign begins with two warm-up matches at Loughborough on June 6 and June 9 against Bangladesh and South Africa respectively. New Zealand’s first World Cup fixture is scheduled against West Indies in Hampshire on June 14, 2026. ## Confirmed tournament line-up | Amelia Kerr (capt) | Suzie Bates | Sophie Devine | Flora Devonshire | Izzy Gaze (wk) | Maddy Green | Brooke Halliday | Bree Illing | Polly Inglis (wk) | Jess Kerr | Rosemary Mair | Nensi Patel | Georgia Plimmer | Izzy Sharp (wk) | Lea Tahuhu |