The White Ferns have been dealt an early setback at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, with a training-ground injury ruling out youngster Flora Devonshire and paving the way for experienced seamer Hannah Rowe to return to the squad.
Devonshire Sidelined After Training Mishap
Devonshire, just 22, suffered a deep cut to her dominant hand during a fielding drill at Indore’s Holkar Stadium. The all-rounder’s injury requires weeks of recovery, effectively ending her tournament before it had the chance to truly begin.
Although Devonshire was uncapped in ODIs and did not feature in New Zealand’s opening defeat against Australia, she had been seen as an exciting young option after making her T20I debut earlier this year against Sri Lanka.
Head coach Ben Sawyer expressed his disappointment at the setback:
“We’re all feeling for Flora. She worked incredibly hard to earn her place in this squad, and it’s heartbreaking that her tournament has ended so suddenly.”
Hannah Rowe Returns With Experience
To fill the void, New Zealand have called on Hannah Rowe, a seasoned campaigner with 60 ODI appearances and 65 wickets to her name. The 29-year-old last represented the White Ferns in March and brings valuable know-how, particularly in subcontinent conditions.
“Hannah might not be a like-for-like replacement for Flora, but she brings an all-round skillset and a wealth of experience,” Sawyer noted. “That’s exactly what we need at this stage of the competition.”
Rowe is expected to link up with the team in Guwahati ahead of New Zealand’s third group-stage clash against Bangladesh on October 10.
Must-Win Match Ahead
Before Rowe’s arrival, the White Ferns face a crucial contest against South Africa in Indore on Monday. Both teams are searching for their first win after opening-round losses — New Zealand falling to defending champions Australia by 89 runs, while South Africa were dismantled by England.
The addition of Rowe could prove timely, providing leadership in a squad that has leaned heavily on veterans Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates. With knockout spots on the line, the White Ferns must recover quickly to keep their campaign alive.