It will officially be the end of an era for New Zealand at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, with Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu set to join Suzie Bates in retiring from international cricket after the tournament.

The trio are part of the 15-member White Ferns squad announced on Wednesday (April 29), which includes Nensi Patel and Izzy Sharp, both of whom will play their first World Cups.

Led by Amelia Kerr, the defending champions also feature Bree Illing and Polly Inglis, both of whom have played in the ODI World Cup but will feature in their first T20 edition.

Sharp, who led New Zealand at the U19 Women's World Cup in 2023, made her senior debut last year, while Patel was rewarded for her strong domestic performances with a call-up earlier this year. For Bates and Devine, it will be their tenth edition of the tournament, starting with the inaugural edition in 2009.

Speaking on the celebrated trio set to sign off at the end of the campaign, head coach Ben Sawyer said: "To have our three most senior players all finishing their careers at the same tournament is a rare and special occasion. All three have had distinguished careers in their own right and given so much to this team and the game in general.

"There'll be a time at the end of the tournament to further acknowledge and celebrate the trio and I know at present they're very focussed on performing well in their final mission with the team."

Part of Group 2, New Zealand will begin their title defence against the West Indies on June 14 in Southampton.