By Victoria Hamilton 
Bree Illing and Bella James Step Into the Spotlight with WHITE FERNS Contracts
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has unveiled its centrally contracted players for the WHITE FERNS 2025–26 season, with two fresh names making headlines—Bree Illing and Bella James. Both rising stars have earned their maiden central contracts, marking a significant milestone in their promising careers.
Illing’s Meteoric Rise Rewarded
Auckland Hearts’ left-arm seamer Bree Illing, just 21, has carved a rapid path to the top since her debut in 2022. Known for her sharp left-arm swing, Illing finished as Auckland’s top wicket-taker this past season with 29 wickets across formats, including 21 scalps in the Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield at an average of 21.
Her domestic dominance translated seamlessly to the international stage when she debuted against Sri Lanka, where she claimed six international wickets, including two dismissals of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu—highlighting her readiness for the global arena.
James Sees Years of Dedication Pay Off
Otago Sparks batter Bella James finally earned her central contract nearly a decade after making her domestic debut at just 16. A pillar in Otago’s batting lineup, James was pivotal in securing back-to-back HBJ Shield titles with consistent performances throughout the season.
Her international debut in the 2024 Rosebowl series against Australia was a moment of statement-making, smashing a six off world no.3 ODI bowler Megan Schutt—a shot that underlined her potential at the highest level.
Building Toward a Landmark Year
Both Illing and James are currently touring England with the New Zealand A side, gaining further international exposure. Their contracts fill the vacancies left by Hayley Jensen’s retirement and Sophie Devine’s switch to a casual playing agreement.
NZC’s Head of Women’s High Performance Liz Green emphasized the depth of competition this year:
“Bree and Bella have absolutely earned their place. With two World Cups on the horizon, their inclusion brings the right balance of promise and performance.”
Head coach Ben Sawyer echoed the sentiment, praising Illing’s maturity against world-class opposition and highlighting James’ proven domestic consistency.
A Look Ahead
With the ODI and T20 World Cups scheduled during this contract period, Illing and James now stand on the cusp of becoming vital contributors in what could be a transformative year for the WHITE FERNS.
The full list of players centrally contracted for 2025-2026:
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.
Zainab Shafiq