Photo Credit: Twitter Photo of @WHITE_FERNS
Eight of New Zealand’s most promising women’s players have signed Development Contracts for the 2020-21 season as New Zealand Cricket looks to further invest in the women’s game.
The youngest player to be included in the list is 16-year-old Auckland Hearts left-arm orthodox spinner, Fran Jonas.
Jonas made her Hearts debut last season and has shown plenty of promise in her fledgling career, according to Auckland Hearts Head Coach, Nick White.
“Fran is most definitely a promising young cricketer with a calm, relaxed temperament,” said White.
“She has a fluent, economical action and an excellent work ethic and this is sure to be a great opportunity to continue her development in the game.
“For us as coaches it’s about ensuring we look after not just her cricket but also her well-being. She’s still a 16-year-old and we need to be mindful of that as she progresses with her cricket.”
It’s the second season NZC has offered the Women’s Development Contracts with the women’s game on a continual rise both domestically and globally.
Head of Women’s High Performance, Ant Sharp, said the Development Contracts are a continuation of the commitment NZC is making to the women’s game.
“It’s exciting to see a new wave of women’s cricketers coming through our Major Association system,” said Sharp.
Photo Credit: Twitter profile picture of @sharp_ant
“Fran is perfect for this programme,” said Sharp. “We get to learn more about her as a person as well as developing her already exciting skill set.
“These contracts are about giving up-and-coming female cricketers a chance to develop their games by utilising the best coaching resources in the country.”
Part of the criteria for selecting the Development Contract list is that the players have the potential to become NZC Contracted Players in the future.
NZC Development Contracts
Bella Armstrong – Auckland
Skye Bowden – Auckland
Rebecca Burns – Wellington
Eden Carson – Otago
Katie Gurrey – Northern Districts
Fran Jonas – Auckland
Jacinta Savage – Canterbury
Jess Watkin – Central Districts
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
