Recently, Otago’s seasoned batter has been playing well in domestic cricket.
The top-order batsman for the Otago Sparks, Bella James, has been called up for the first time to the New Zealand team for the three-match ODI series against Australia in Wellington next week. Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu and opener Georgia Plimmer, however, are unable to play in the series due to injuries.
Since her debut in 2014, James has made 137 appearances for Otago in all forms. She has also been playing well in the current one-day competition (for the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield) at home. With 293 runs from five innings with a strike rate of 85.17, she ranks second on the list of run scorers. Her greatest score in these matches is 101 not out, while her lowest score is 36.According to a press release, the team’s chief selector, Sarah Tsukigawa, expressed her excitement at Bella receiving her maiden call-up to international cricket. “Her recent performance in HBJ demonstrates why she deserves this chance, as she has been putting in a lot of effort at the domestic level for many years. Bella’s ability to powerfully strike in a 360-degree circle is a useful skill.A statement from New Zealand Cricket stated that Plimmer would be “ruled out of cricket until next year” due to a bone stress response in her left hip. Additionally, Tahuhu “is expected to be fit by early January” after suffering a grade-two hamstring strain, according to the statement.
“We’re gutted to not have Georgia or Lea for this series but injuries do create opportunities to explore how other players could fit in,” added Tsukigawa.
Seamer Rosemary Mair, meanwhile, has made her first appearance in the ODI squad since 2022, when she pulled out of the team to play England due to a back injury.Australia presently holds the Rose Bowl Trophy, and this is the first time the two teams have faced off since 2020.
