Auckland Cricket is proud to celebrate the selection of seven Auckland-based players in the WHITE FERNS’ centrally contracted squad for the 2025/26 season. Congratulations to Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Fran Jonas, Izzy Gaze, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, and Molly Penfold on this outstanding achievement.

This year's contract list highlights the depth and strength of the Auckland Hearts programme, with a mix of experienced internationals and exciting emerging talent continuing to shine on the national stage.

Among the highlights is Bree Illing, who earns her first-ever central contract after a sensational domestic season. The 21-year-old left-arm seamer became the Hearts’ leading wicket-taker just three seasons after her debut. Illing’s consistent pace and swing netted her 29 wickets across formats this summer, including 21 in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, where she delivered two standout performances (4-39 and 4-49). Her form earned her ODI and T20I debuts against Sri Lanka, where she impressed by dismissing star batter Chamari Athapaththu twice.

Auckland's representation also includes returning contracted players and key WHITE FERNS contributors: Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Izzy Gaze, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Molly Penfold.

The WHITE FERNS 2025/26 central contracts were determined through a robust selection process overseen by head coach Ben Sawyer and selector Sarah Tsukigawa. The final list features 17 players in total, with Auckland’s seven making up a significant core of the squad.

The White Ferns face a big year ahead with two World Cups and a number of high profile series. We'll look forward to seeing our fantastic HEARTS representing us on the world stage!

The full list of players centrally contracted for 2025-2026 is: Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.

Article added: Wednesday 18 June 2025