Melie Kerr has been appointed the new WHITE FERNS captain, officially taking over across all formats from Sophie Devine who stepped down as captain following the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in October.
The 25-year-old, who has represented the WHITE FERNS in 172 internationals, will take on the permanent leadership mantle of both the ODI and T20I sides, having previously led the side in two ODIs and two T20Is.
Kerr will officially begin her tenure as captain when she leads the side in the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe later this month.
Kerr’s appointment as captain signals the beginning of a new era for the WHITE FERNS as they embark on an important three-year period which includes the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England later this year, the ICC T20 Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next year, and the LA Olympics and T20 World Cup in 2028.
Kerr said she was delighted to be given the opportunity to lead her country.
“Growing up it was my childhood dream to represent New Zealand and to now have the opportunity to captain my country is a massive privilege,” she said.
“I’m really excited by the growth, the talent and the dedication of this group and the potential of what we can achieve and where we can go together.
“I am following an exceptional group of leaders who have captained the WHITE FERNS before me, so I don’t take the responsibility lightly.
“I have so much love for this group and so much passion for representing Aotearoa.
“The captaincy doesn’t change who I am, I am still the same person and will give everything I can to lead this group and hopefully bring our country success.”
Since debuting for the WHITE FERNS in 2016 at the age of just 16, Kerr has gone on to score 3,757 runs and take 201 wickets across both formats and is already the WHITE FERNS’ third all-time leading wicket-taker and fourth all-time leading run-scorer.
She was instrumental in the WHITE FERNS successful 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign where she was named Player of the Tournament and was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Year shortly after, becoming the first New Zealander to ever win the prestigious Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy.
Kerr said her leadership philosophy was centred around putting people first.
“One of my favourite quotes is: ‘He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata.
“We are people first. As a group we look out for each other, we celebrate each other’s success and we represent our people.
“Encouraging others and building belief around us so we can all be the best we can be both as people and as cricketers.”
WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer said Kerr was an excellent fit for the role.
“Melie has been an integral member of the squad for many years and deeply understands what it means to be a WHITE FERN and represent New Zealand,” said Sawyer.
“She’s an outstanding leader not only through her performances on the field, but also in the respect she has from the playing group off it.
“She has a sound understanding of the game and has strong leadership experience from the games she has captained the WHITE FERNS and her time leading the Wellington Blaze over the past three years.
“We believe leading the WHITE FERNS can take Melie’s game to the next level and know she’s ready to step up and lead this team forward.”
Sawyer said Kerr’’s appointment signalled the long-term plans for the team.
“Melie leading this team at this stage of her career ensures we have continuity and stability through the next cycle to 2029,” he said.
“Melie possesses all the qualities of a strong leader at such a young age and we are looking forward to supporting her in her development as a leader.”
NZC Head of Women’s High Performance Development Liz Green said Kerr’s passion for the team and her people-first approach made her an ideal fit for the role.
“Melie is hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and is a great role model for the group and fans of the WHITE FERNS,” said Green.
“It’s been a privilege to see Melie’s development from playing with her to seeing her grow into the leader she is today.
“Melie has strong values and her people-first approach to the game aligns perfectly with our wider vision for the WHITE FERNS and what we are trying to build for the future.
“We look forward to supporting her in the role as captain and we look forward to watching Melie develop as a leader.”
The WHITE FERNS squads for the LifeDirect T20I and Chemist Warehouse ODI series against Zimbabwe will be named on Friday.
The three-match T20I series begins at Seddon Park in Hamilton on February 25.
Melie Kerr at a glance
- WHITE FERN #188
- Youngest player to ever debut for the WHITE FERNS (16 years and 27 days)
- Highest ever individual ODI score for the WHITE FERNS (232* v Ireland 2018)
- Only New Zealand player ever to win the ICC World Player of the Year (Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy)
- 2022 Commonwealth Games Bronze medal winner
- 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winner
- 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament
- 3x winner of the NZC Debbie Hockley Medal
- WHITE FERNS third all-time leading wicket-taker (201 wickets)
- WHITE FERNS fourth all-time leading run scorer (3,757 runs)
