Amelia Kerr has been named the new all-format captain of New Zealand, succeeding Sophie Devine, who stepped down from the role following the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 in October. The 25-year-old Kerr, who has featured in 172 internationals, will take charge of both the ODI and T20I sides on a full-time basis. Kerr has previously captained the side in two ODIs and two T20Is.

Kerr's elevation comes at the start of a significant three-year period for New Zealand, which includes a defence of their T20 World Cup crown in England later this year, the ICC T20 Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in 2027, and the Los Angeles Olympics and T20 World Cup in 2028.

"Growing up it was my childhood dream to represent New Zealand and to now have the opportunity to captain my country is a massive privilege," Kerr was quoted as saying in a New Zealand Cricket release. "I'm really excited by the growth, the talent and the dedication of this group and the potential of what we can achieve and where we can go together.

"I am following an exceptional group of leaders who have captained the White Ferns before me, so I don't take the responsibility lightly. I have so much love for this group and so much passion for representing Aotearoa. The captaincy doesn't change who I am, I am still the same person and will give everything I can to lead this group and hopefully bring our country success."

Since making her debut in 2016 at the age of 16, Kerr has scored 3,757 runs and claimed 201 wickets across formats. She is currently New Zealand's third-highest wicket-taker and fifth-highest run-scorer. She played a key role in the team's triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, earning Player of the Tournament honours, and was later named the ICC Women's Player of the Year, becoming the first New Zealander to win the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy.

Kerr said her leadership philosophy would be rooted in a people-first approach. "One of my favourite quotes is: 'He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tangata, He T a ngata, He T a ngata.

"We are people first. As a group we look out for each other, we celebrate each other's success and we represent our people. Encouraging others and building belief around us so we can all be the best we can be both as people and as cricketers."

Speaking on the appointment, head coach Ben Sawyer said Kerr understood what it means to represent New Zealand. "She's an outstanding leader not only through her performances on the field, but also in the respect she has from the playing group off it," Sawyer said.

"She has a sound understanding of the game and has strong leadership experience from the games she has captained the White Ferns and her time leading the Wellington Blaze over the past three years. We believe leading the White Ferns can take Melie's game to the next level and know she's ready to step up and lead this team forward."

Sawyer added that Kerr's appointment reflected long-term planning. "Melie leading this team at this stage of her career ensures we have continuity and stability through the next cycle to 2029," he said.

Kerr will begin her tenure during the upcoming home T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe later this month, with the three-match T20I series set to start at Seddon Park on February 25.