Newton and McFadyen hoping to make a mark for New Zealand in the upcoming season

Thamsyn Newton, who made her debut in 2015, hasn't been part of New Zelaand's contract since 2018.An impressive domestic season for Wellington Blaze saw her return to international cricket during this year with her being named in the squads that faced England and Australia at home. When New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced the names of contracted players for the 2021-22 season on early Wednesday (May 26), the 25-year-old was among the four new names in the list along with Brooke Halliday, Frances Mackay and Jess McFadyen, all of whom were receiving their maiden central contracts with NZC.



“It’s really exciting. I’ve been in the mix before for a couple of years ago. It’s nice to be called back in the group with an ability to train and be compensated for it at the same time. It’s an awesome opportunity," said Newton while talking about her return to the fold.



Newton, who has played 22 internationals for New Zealand so far, said the time out from the side has helped her gain some perspective by letting her focus on things outside cricket. She also hoped that she could make a mark if picked up in the side for the England tour this year.



“It’s never nice to lose your contract. It gave me a bit of time to get away and focus on what I wanted to do outside of that," she said. "Ultimately, playing sport for my country is something that I wanted to do. It gave me time to focus on what I wanted to do outside of cricket. It can be a bit consuming as I was in a different (zone). I hope to put my hand up for the UK tour. So I probably it’s just going to be head down till that time.”



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Pace bowling allrounder Newton has taken 20 international wickets so far and with a home World Cup in the horizon, she would be hoping to add more to that tally as she believes the postponement of the 50-over global event to next year will help her game more and put the hand up for selection.



"The delay in World Cup was in my eyes a chance to definitely make that time, give me more time to develop my game in order to be able to be selected for it. I probably wasn’t thinking about it as much as I could have been with other things going on. The delay in World Cup has given me the time and it has helped with me being selected," Newton added.



McFadyen is the only uncapped player in the list and will be looking to make a claim to make it to the side as a wicketkeeper-batter. She scored 397 runs at an average of 49.62 and was the leading run-scorer for Wellington Blaze.



“I’m in a really, really fortunate position now. What was a dream is now a goal and I was pretty speechless when I was told (about receiving a contract). I was always training and working hard to push the envelope to be offered a contract," McFadyen said.







It won't be easy for the 29-year-old McFadyen to get into the playing XI with first choice wicket-keeper Katey Martin still being part of the side. McFadyen said it will be a good learning experience for her to spend time with the 35-year-old Martin and pick up things about keeping.



"She (Martin) has been at the top of her game for ages now. I can’t wait to learn and spend time just picking up on things she does and her experience is second to none," she concluded.