Maddy Green to join Wellington Blaze

Maddy Green, the New Zealand batter, will turn out for Wellington Blaze for the 2019-20 domestic season.

The right-hander has made the move from Auckland Hearts, where she spent 10 years plying her trade. Green lifted five titles with the Hearts during that period, including leading them to the one-day championship in 2018.

“The Blaze are a really strong, powerful side and have had a huge amount of success in the T20 format especially over the last few years,” said Green. “Leading into the ICC T20 World Cup next year and trying to get a place in that White Ferns side, it’s going to be really good to train and learn day in, day out with the Blaze team. I’ve absolutely loved being part of the Hearts, ten years is a long time and I’d like to think I’ve contributed to a successful culture.”

“I want to thank all my teammates, coaches, support staff and everyone at Auckland Cricket who have really helped me develop as a cricketer and as a person in the last ten years,” she added.

Green, who made her T20I debut seven years ago at the age of 19, has had a bit of a stop-start international career. A top order batter, who can also bowl some handy off-spin, the 26-year-old has been constantly shuffled up and down the order, and struggled to come to terms with her role in the side. Her returns at the international level— 668 runs in 67 matches across both formats— point to a player who is still trying to find her feet.

In 2018, on New Zealand’s tour of Ireland, Green scored her maiden international century. It was a whirlwind knock of 122 in the team's record score of 490 in Dublin. To most it seemed her moment had arrived. However, once again, Green’s performances have dropped off.

The right-hander, however, has been prolific in the domestic circuit. In 2018, she won the Ruth Martin Award for the best batter at the New Zealand Cricket Awards, following which she was selected in the squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.

“We’re really excited to welcome Maddy to the Blaze and look forward to her contributions to the team,” said Cam Mitchell, CEO of Cricket Wellington. “We’re really proud of the Blaze program we have built under Ivan Tissera and Robbie Kerr. It’s very well resourced and we believe it is the best place in the country for female players to develop.”

Green is the second New Zealand player to join Blaze for this season, following Leigh Kasperek’s move back from Otago Sparks earlier this year. She joins the likes of Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr, Rachel Priest and Liz Perry to strengthen an already powerful batting unit.

Ivan Tissera, Blaze head coach, said he was excited to work with Green, and that he believes she would add great value to the squad.

“We are very fortunate to have a player of Maddy’s calibre join the Blaze,” he said. “Her achievements at domestic and international level speak for themselves and her passion and commitment for the Hearts over the last ten years show the type of player we now have joining our team.

“I’m really looking forward to working alongside Maddy to help improve her game, hopefully win more trophies, and also help her secure a place in the White Ferns for the upcoming World Cups.”

Blaze start their season against Green’s old team, Auckland Hearts, at the Basin Reserve on November 16.