It’s the eve of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup hosted in England and Wales which features a current club player Izzy Sharp as well as a former player Robine Rijke so excitement levels are out the gate!
It’s real dare to dream moment for everyone involved in the club to see what Izzy has achieved with her ongoing development. It really seems surreal to see her both playing, practising and all the media involvement on the international stage.
We just saw announced today that Izzy Sharp has central NZC contract for 2026/2027 season!
Sharp, a hard-hitting right-hander from Timaru, has long been touted as a prospect for the future.
The 21-year-old led New Zealand U19 to the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023 when she was on her first domestic contract with the Canterbury Magicians.
A crucial batter in the Magicians’ line up, Sharp averaged 30 with the bat striking at 128 during the 2025-26 Super Smash and was the team’s top run-scorer.
Having just completed in the ODI and T20 series against the England, and then the ICC WT20 warm up matches it is just thrilling to see her in these matches, and we all wish her the very best in the tournament!
Izzy is not the only club player involved in the tournament, as Robine Rijke who played for a season at the club in 2022/23 is representing The Netherlands in their countries first appearance at Women’s World Cup, giving an alternate team Oranje to cheer for! It’s big opportunity for The Netherlands to promote cricket in what is still an amateur game.
The matches are on Sky TV, however the ICC is committed to making this is most covered Women’s cricket festival ever and they have will be showing highlight on their ICC APP and on the ICC Youtube page. You can watch highlights of Izzy’s 46 against Bangladesh here https://youtu.be/sxuU5NUe29w?si=7BljQPmQDGyrQCC-&t=81
North-West Women's Cricket 