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New Zealand Cricket have unveiled their 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, featuring a compelling blend of experienced campaigners and promising newcomers. Among the most intriguing selections is Polly Inglis, the resilient wicketkeeper-batter whose maiden World Cup call-up represents the culmination of more than a decade of dedication in domestic cricket.
Polly Inglis’ early life and domestic rise
Born on May 31, 1996, in Dunedin, Otago, Inglis began her cricketing journey in New Zealand’s South Island. She established herself early in the domestic circuit, making her professional debut for Otago Sparks in the 2012-13 season when she was just 16 years old. Her List A debut came against Auckland on November 24, 2012, followed by her Twenty20 debut the next day on November 23, 2012. This early introduction to professional cricket allowed Inglis to develop her skills steadily over more than a decade, becoming a cornerstone of the Otago Sparks lineup.
Inglis’ playing style and impact
Inglis is a dynamic right-handed wicketkeeper-batter who brings versatility to New Zealand’s middle-order batting lineup. Behind the stumps, she has established herself as a reliable and sharp gloveman, consistently contributing to her team’s defensive efforts with impressive catching and stumping abilities.
Her batting prowess was particularly highlighted during the breakthrough 2023-24 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield season, where she emerged as the competition’s second-highest run-scorer with 324 runs in ten matches at an outstanding average of 54 and a strike rate close to 80. Her ability to anchor innings while maintaining scoring pressure makes her a valuable asset in the middle order.
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Career progression and achievements
Inglis’s remarkable domestic consistency finally earned recognition at the national level in 2024. Her stellar performances in the 2023-24 domestic season, including a crucial unbeaten 35 in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final that helped Otago claim the title, caught the attention of national selectors.
This led to her first New Zealand Cricket central contract in June 2024. Her international breakthrough came during the New Zealand A tour of England, where she scored an impressive 103 runs in the three-match ODI series.
This performance secured her maiden call-up to the senior national team for the ODI series against India in October 2024. She eventually made her New Zealand debut in March 2025 against Sri Lanka, playing both ODI and T20I formats. In her brief international career, she has scored 43 runs in three ODIs with a highest score of 34 not out, maintaining an impressive strike rate of 165.38.
Road ahead for Inglis
Inglis represents a mature addition to New Zealand’s World Cup squad, bringing over a decade of domestic experience to complement her recent international exposure. Head coach Ben Sawyer has expressed confidence in her abilities, stating that her consistent domestic performances and adaptability make her an excellent backup wicketkeeper and middle-order option.
With her composed batting approach, reliable glovework, and proven ability to perform under pressure, Inglis is positioned to play a crucial supporting role as New Zealand seeks to build on their recent T20 World Cup success. Her inclusion alongside fellow debutants Flora Devonshire, Bella James, and Bree Illing signals New Zealand’s commitment to introducing fresh talent while maintaining their competitive edge in the upcoming World Cup campaign in India and Sri Lanka.
The White Ferns will begin their World Cup journey against Australia on October 1 in Indore, with Inglis poised to make her World Cup debut as part of a squad that blends youth and experience in pursuit of their second ODI World Cup title.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
