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New Zealand’s women’s cricket team, known as the White Ferns, has been grappling with a challenging period, leaving many wondering whether they have lost their way in international cricket. Recent results show a significant dip in their performance, especially when faced with dominant teams like Australia and England. While the White Ferns have been a formidable force in women’s cricket for years, recent matches have exposed their weaknesses, particularly in the middle order and with their bowling attack, leading to questions about their direction and strategy.
The team’s struggles became particularly evident during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and a series of bilateral clashes. In a particularly challenging match against Australia in 2024, the White Ferns collapsed for a mere 88 runs while chasing a modest total. New Zealand’s batting lineup, which includes experienced players like Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, has struggled to form partnerships, often faltering in high-pressure situations. This inability to anchor the innings or counter elite bowlers has been one of the key reasons for their poor results. Players such as Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green have also faced difficulties against top-tier bowling attacks, which has left the team unable to put up competitive totals or chase down targets effectively.
Their losing streak extended to 11 matches in 2024, reflecting a deeper issue within the team. Despite these tough results, captain Sophie Devine remains hopeful, pointing out that the team is in a transitional phase. Devine has emphasized the importance of learning from these defeats, using them as stepping stones to rebuild the team’s confidence and resilience. This phase has given opportunities to young players like Georgia Plimmer and Molly Penfold, who are gradually finding their footing at the international level.
One of the team’s notable weaknesses has been their inconsistency. While they’ve had moments of brilliance, particularly from star players like Devine, Bates, and Rosemary Mair, these flashes of success have not been sustained. The White Ferns often struggle to maintain momentum through an entire tournament, faltering after a few good games or crumbling under pressure from stronger teams. For example, despite showing resilience in some of their matches, they have frequently collapsed when faced with disciplined bowling attacks, particularly against teams like Australia.
There have been a few bright spots during this difficult phase. In a recent T20 World Cup match, New Zealand snapped their 11-match losing streak with an impressive 58-run victory over India. Captain Sophie Devine led the charge with a powerful 57 runs, supported by a stellar bowling performance from Rosemary Mair and Lea Tahuhu. This win showed that the White Ferns still have the potential to compete at the highest level when they execute their game plan effectively. However, for the team to consistently challenge the top sides, they need to address their batting collapses and improve their bowling strategies, especially in the middle overs where they often lose control of the game.
The team’s recent string of losses can also be attributed to their performances in crucial moments. New Zealand has found it difficult to finish games strongly, often letting opponents take control towards the end of their innings or losing wickets in clusters. This inability to seize key moments has been a recurring issue, and it has cost them dearly in tight matches. Players like Devine and Bates have repeatedly highlighted the need for mental toughness and better decision-making in pressure situations.