Otago Sparks seamer Louisa Kotkamp and Otago A player Hannah O’Connor have been named in a talented New Zealand under-19 side for the Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia later this month.
The squad boasts 11 domestically-contracted players.
Kotkamp has taken eight wickets in five one-dayers for the Sparks.
She has a best of four for 17 and looks to have a bright future ahead.
Her father, Ronnie Kotkamp, is a former Otago A player. He played one list A game for Hertfordshire and he also took four wickets for the MCC in a 50-over game against Scotland in 2002.
O’Connor also has pedigree. Her dad is former Black Caps left-armer Shayne O’Connor.
The seamer played 19 tests and 38 ODIs for his country and forged an impressive provincial career for Otago.
Auckland’s Anika Todd has an Otago connection as well. Her brother, Jamal Todd, opens the batting for the Volts in the Super Smash.
The squad has been selected on the back of increased development opportunities, including winter training camps, a tri-series in Australia, and the inaugural Bates v Devine T20 tournament in 2024.
Kotkamp, Tash Wakelin, Kate Chandler, Emma McLeod and Kate Irwin are set for their second world tournament after all four featured in New Zealand’s semifinal at the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023.
NZC high performance coach Sara McGlashan will lead the coaching unit, supported by Wellington Blaze assistant coach Luke Woodcock and Auckland Hearts assistant coach Matt Blandford.
The squad will assemble in Auckland tomorrow before departing for Malaysia the following day.
New Zealand will play two warm-up fixtures against the United States and West Indies, followed by three matches against their pool C opponents, South Africa (January 18), Nigeria (Jan 20) and Samoa (Jan 22).
New Zealand U19
World Cup squad
Tash Wakelin (captain), Elizabeth Buchanan, Kate Chandler, Sophie Court, Hannah Francis, Kate Irwin, Rishika Jaswal, Louisa Kotkamp, Ayaan Lambat, Emma McLeod, Hannah O’Connor, Darcy-Rose Prasad, Anika Tauwhare, Anika Todd, Eve Wolland
