Cricket: Taranaki seamer scores CD contract

CD Cricket

Get ready for a new face in the Central Hinds this summer with seam bowler Grace Foreman today awarded her first cricket contract.

Uncapped Foreman completes the Hinds’ contacted players roster for the coming 2024/25 season.

The tall 19-year-old from New Plymouth has steadily impressed through Taranaki's and Central Districts’ pathway systems over recent summers.

Following selection at CD U15 level, Foreman captained the New Plymouth Girls’ High First XI and has represented CD U19 since 2021/22 — winning the NZ national title in 2022.

Foreman debuted for Central Districts A last season, too, and was invited to an NZC female U19 national camp at the end of last season.

Now, the young Taranaki rep is one step closer to a full domestic debut with the Hinds, and can’t wait for preseason training.

“I’m really grateful and honoured to get this opportunity with the Hinds," said Foreman.

“I was shocked when [Hinds Head Coach] Jacob Oram phoned me to offer me the contract as it has been a goal of mine for some time now.

“The prospect of playing with some of my role models is surreal, and I am really looking forward to joining the team.”

Foreman hails from a talented Taranaki cricketing family. 

She is the younger sister of Amy Foreman who has coached the Taranaki women's team and was an NZC Pathway to Performance coaching scholarship recipient last season. 

The Foreman sisters have represented Taranaki as teammates in The Mike Shrimpton Trophy, while mum Helen has previously been immersed behind the scenes for Taranaki Cricket.

“Grace comes into the Hinds' squad to bolster our up-and-coming seam bowling stocks,” Central Districts Manager, High Performance Dave Meiring commented.

“She’s performed well at both age-group and District level over the past couple of seasons, taking wickets regularly.

“We have a number of good spinners on our Hinds contract list, so it’s great to be able to provide an opportunity to another strong seamer.”

The 13 Hinds contracts for 2024/25 are in addition to NZC-contracted WHITE FERNS players Rosemary Mair and Hannah Rowe who also represent the team when available.

Domestic schedules for the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and Dream11 Super Smash will be released in the coming weeks.

 2024/25 Central Hinds Contracted Squad

Aniela Apperley (Hawke’s Bay) right-arm pace bowler
Georgia Atkinson (Wairarapa) right-hand allrounder, leg-spin
Ocean Bartlett (Wairarapa) right-hand batter, leg-spin
Flora Devonshire (Hawke’s Bay) left-hand allrounder, off-spin
* Grace Foreman (Taranaki) right-arm pace bowler (uncapped)
* Anna Gaging (Nelson) right-arm pace bowler
Kate Gaging (Nelson) wicketkeeper, right-hand batter
Claudia Green (Nelson) right-arm swing bowler
Mikaela Greig (Manawatū) right-hand batter
Ashtuti Kumar (Manawatū) right-arm off-spin allrounder
Emma McLeod (Wairarapa) right-hand top order batter
Rosemary Mair (NZC contract, Hawke’s Bay) right-arm pace bowler
Thamsyn Newton (Hawke’s Bay) right-hand batter
Hannah Rowe (NZC contract), Manawatū) right-arm allrounder
Kerry Tomlinson (Hawke’s Bay) right-hand batter

* First-time contracted player 

Unavailable: Natalie Dodd (Taranaki; expecting child)