Kerr\u2019s Mumbai Indians were eliminated from the WPL by Devine\u2019s Royal Challenger\u2019s Bangalore yesterday morning but travel complications from India mean Kerr won\u2019t return to New Zealand in time to feature in the opening T20I, reports NZC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She will be available for the second match at Saxton Oval on Friday, and it is expected that Devine, who will depart India immediately after the WPL final, will also be available to join her.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wellington Blaze batter Georgia Plimmer has been called in to the squad as a replacement and a second player from the New Zealand A squad will also be selected following second T20 against England A in Queenstown.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Plimmer featured in New Zealand A\u2019s defeat to England A and will take part in the second T20, before assembling with the team in Dunedin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
White Ferns' head coach Ben Sawyer said Devine and Kerr\u2019s late return to the squad provided an opportunity to build depth. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s obviously disappointing not to have Melie or Sophie with us for the series opener,\u201d said Sawyer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve known that this could be the case for some time now, so we\u2019ve made plans for all scenarios and the positive is that it gives other players an opportunity to test themselves against a strong England side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sawyer said Plimmer was a strong addition to the squad for the opening game against England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cGeorgia has been a regular part of our group for some time now and she\u2019ll be involved in the ODIs - so we have full confidence she can come in and contribute in the opening T20.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The absence of Devine and Kerr means that Suzie Bates will captain the side in the series opener in Dunedin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
An update on the second replacement player will be provided on Sunday evening.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Suzie Bates (c) (Otago Sparks)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Eden Carson (Otago Sparks)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bernadine Bezuidenhout (wk) (Northern Brave)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Izzy Gaze (wk) (Auckland Hearts)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Maddy Green (Auckland Hearts)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brooke Halliday (Auckland Hearts)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fran Jonas (Auckland Hearts)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jess Kerr (Wellington Blaze)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rosemary Mair (Central Hinds)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Georgia Plimmer (Wellington Blaze)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hannah Rowe (Central Hinds)<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury Magicians)<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/03\/new-zealands-kerr-devine-to-miss-first-england-t20i.jpg", "alt_img": "New Zealand's Kerr, Devine to miss first England T20I", "alt_title": "New Zealand's Kerr, Devine to miss first England T20I", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "New Zealand's Kerr, Devine To Miss First England T20I On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "New Zealand's Kerr, Devine To Miss First England T20I, Melie Kerr: New Zealand's Melie Kerr and Sophie Devine will be unavailable for the opening match of the women's T20I.", "seo_keywords": "Melie Kerr, New Delhi, New Zealand, Sophie Devine, Otago Oval, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challenger, Saxton Oval, Wellington Blaze, Georgia Plimmer, White Ferns, Ben Sawyer, Suzie Bates, Otago Sparks, Eden Carson, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Northern Brave", "tag": "", "tagging": "Melie Kerr, New Delhi, New Zealand, Sophie Devine, Otago Oval, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challenger, Saxton Oval, Wellington Blaze, Georgia Plimmer, White Ferns, Ben Sawyer, Suzie Bates, Otago Sparks, Eden Carson, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Northern Brave", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "new-zealands-kerr-devine-to-miss-first-england-t20i", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "926", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-03-17 09:16:03", "updated": "2024-03-17 09:16:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Melie Kerr, New Delhi, New Zealand, Sophie Devine, Otago Oval, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challenger, Saxton Oval, Wellington Blaze, Georgia Plimmer, White Ferns, Ben Sawyer, Suzie Bates, Otago Sparks, Eden Carson, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Northern Brave", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-03-17 09:16:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/new-zealands-kerr-devine-to-miss-first-england-t20i-140515" }