Melie Kerr and Sophie Devine Included for HBJ in Auckland

WHITE FERNS Melie Kerr and Sophie Devine look likely to make their Blaze season debuts this weekend as the HBJ Shield One Day Competition enters its final rounds before Christmas.

Sophie Devine has been included in the squad for Sunday’s game, while Melie Kerr is available to the squad for both fixtures this weekend.

The Blaze are Auckland-bound today as the Auckland Hearts will welcome them to Kennards Hire Oval at Eden Park for back-to-back fixtures this Saturday and Sunday.

The two WHITE FERNS mainstays will get some reps in before the three ODI series against Australia will come to the Cello Basin Reserve next week, starting with a free entry fixture on Thursday 19th December.

With nearly half the competition in the rear view, the Blaze will be looking to keep pace with the upper half of the table with some strong performances this weekend.

Antonia Hamilton and Gemma Sims, who had both been included in all squads so far this season, will make way for the returning WHITE FERNS.

Georgia Plimmer and Kate Chandler remain unavailable due to ongoing injury rehab, with the former expected to miss the ODI series next week.

Watch Rounds 5 and 6 of the HBJ Shield from 10:30am on December 14th and 15th as Wellington head to Auckland to take on the Sparks at Kennards Hire Oval. Live scoring and streaming will be available on NZC’s website.

‍

Wellington Blaze | HBJ Shield Rounds 5 & 6 | Kennards Hire Oval, Auckland

Rebecca Burns (c)

Leigh Kasperek (vc)

Nicole Baird

Rachel Bryant

Natasha Codyre

Sophie Devine (Sunday)

Hannah Francis

Melie Kerr

Jess Kerr

Caitlin King

Jess McFadyen

Xara Jetly

Phoenix Williams

‍