FOUR NEW FACES, including a WHITE FERNS star moving to CD, form part of an exciting Central Hinds contracted player roster for the 2023/24 season, revealed this morning. 

THAMSYN NEWTON's transfer from Wellington Blaze is a big acquisition for the Hinds and will help to off-set the loss of JESS WATKIN's experience — former captain Watkin having resettled in Northern Districts after a decade-long Central career. 

Newton brings with her a powerhouse CV of 107 List A one-dayers, including 10 WHITE FERNS ODIs, and 115 T20s, including 15 T20 Internationals and 14 Women’s Big Bash appearances for the Perth Scorchers.

Thamsyn Newton (left) celebrates with Suzie Bates | PHOTOSPORT

As well as offering handy pace and adaptable, aggressive batting, the right-hander possesses one of the most dangerous throwing arms in the female game.

She debuted for the WHITE FERNS in 2015/16 back when she was a Canterbury rookie, and went on to a stellar career with Wellington Blaze where she won multiple Domestic titles.

Whilst Wellington will always hold a special place in her heart, Newton’s now very much looking forward to the stimulation of a fresh environment at Central Districts. She was even born in the region — in Paraparaumu on the Kāpiti Coast (Horowhenua-Kāpiti).

Moving to Hawke’s Bay at this point in time makes sense on several levels, she said.

“My partner is based in Waimārama so I was already spending a lot of time in Hawke’s Bay over the winters — and with CD’s new, centralised training hub opening at Mitre 10 Park in Hastings, it made the thoughts of a full-time move here even more attractive.

“CD had indicated they were interested in talking to me, so we took it from there.

PHOTOSPORT

"I really enjoyed my years at Wellington, and I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities I had with the Blaze and the resources Cricket Wellington invested in the team, but my circumstances have just changed, and I guess the new opportunities here in CD just helped make the decision easier.”

Central Districts Manager, High Performance DAVE MEIRING said it was really exciting to welcome a player of Newton’s class and experience into the Hinds squad.

“Thamsyn’s record at domestic level speaks for itself, and we feel we can support her desires to once again represent the WHITE FERNS," said Meiring.

“She also has the perfect skill-set to complement the younger players we have coming through in CD - and we know that Thamsyn's experience at domestic and international level will help lift the overall standards within our group.” 

EMERGING TALENTS SIGNED

Joining Newton on the Hinds’ contracted roster for the first time is a talented trio of up-and-comers: left-arm allrounder FLORA DEVONSHIRE; uncapped young pace bowler ANIELA APPERLEY (both from Hawke’s Bay); and Wairarapa batter and New Zealand Under 19 World Cup star, EMMA MCLEOD. 

McLeod and Devonshire both made an immediate impression when they stepped up to the Hinds for the first time last summer.

Flora Devonshire | PHOTOSPORT

With few left-handers in the female New Zealand Domestic game, Devonshire brings a point of difference with her all-round skill set, but it was also the maturity she showed in pressure situations that made her stand out in her debut season. 

Devonshire nervelessly opened the bowling attack against the strong Blaze on Dream11 Super Smash debut, and held her place for all 10 T20s last season — as well as playing six Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-dayers, including bringing home a win against ND in the last game of the season. 

Emma McLeod starred for NZU19 | ICC/Getty

Like Devonshire, right-hander McLeod impressed for New Zealand Under 19 before gaining her first Hinds cap last summer.

McLeod scored a half century at the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup in South Africa before coming into the Hinds team on Hallyburton Johnstone Shield debut at just 17 - and smashing a half century against Canterbury in her first knock.

Young pace bowler Apperley was meanwhile unlucky not to have made a Hinds debut in the previous season, as a schoolgirl standout from Havelock North.

The right-armer has impressed for CD U19 since 2016/17, and is a New Zealand cap in Indoor Cricket.

She earned a maiden call-up for the Hinds' one-day squad in 2022, but both scheduled matches that weekend at Pukekura Park were called off completely due to torrential rain, a lost opportunity for the team's newest recruit.

Meiring said after a rebuilding phase of several seasons and a strong focus on developing young female talent throughout our region, it's been significant to see a number of young, emerging players stepping up for the Hinds over recent seasons.

"The future is looking bright. It’s clear that we have decided to invest in our youth and we’re confident that these are the players who will take the Hinds into a strong future.” 

INVESTING IN YOUTH

In other changes from last year’s contracted squad, Nelson-based batter and back-up wicketkeeper KATE GAGING returns for the coming season.

Gaging, 22, had gained her maiden contract in 2021/22. She missed out on one of the 13 available contract spots last year but has now played 16 games for the hinds across both formats.

Kate Gaging | PHOTOSPORT

Pace bowler MONIQUE REES and wicketkeeper-batter GEMMA SIMS have meanwhile transferred to Wellington; and young opening batter CATE PEDERSEN to Auckland where she is now based as a student. Pedersen has been named in this season's Auckland A training squad while Ress and Pedersen have been contracted to the Blaze.

With only 13 contracted spots available, players who have missed out on a contract remain eligible for Hinds selection over the summer from the wider squad, and CD A and pathway programmes.

Ditto HANNAH ROWE and ROSEMARY MAIR who are NZC-contracted WHITE FERNS, and also available to represent the Central Hinds when not on international duty.

The Hinds' season begins in Palmerston North on Saturday, 18 November and Sunday, 19 November with the first two rounds of the free admission Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

CENTRAL HINDS CONTRACTS 2023/24