New Zealand Women’s team’s key all-rounder and one of their star players Amelia Kerr has pulled out of the team’s England tour to prioritise her mental health and well being. The White Ferns’ England tour begins on September 2. They are to play three T20Is and an equal number of ODIs on the tour.
"I love representing New Zealand and playing for the WHITE FERNS. However, after plenty of consultation with my support network, putting my mental health and well-being first is my number one priority. I've not taken this decision lightly I feel this is best for me at the current time,” Kerr was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Sophie Devine, the White Ferns’ skipper said that she and the team respect Kerr’s decision and is certain that whenever she comes back, she will do it with a bang.
"We're obviously going to miss Melie in England. It's important we talk openly about it because it can get tough and we need to ensure our players, teammates and friends are looked after. We're all wrapping around Melie and know she'll make a comeback when she's ready,” she said.
Kerr's importance to the squad can be gauged from the fact that in 41 ODIs, the 20-year-old youngster has taken 61 wickets at an average of 25.40 and has scored more than 600 runs at a batting average of around 30.
New Zealand squad: Sophie Devine (c), Amy Satterthwaite (vc), Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Claudia Green, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Jess Kerr, Katey Martin (wk), Leigh Kasperek, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen* (wk), Thamsyn Newton, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu