Bree Illing

Bree Illing is a promising New Zealand cricketer who has quickly risen through the domestic system to earn international recognition. A left-arm medium-fast bowler and useful lower-order batter, she represents the Auckland Hearts in domestic cricket and has recently stepped onto the world stage with the White Ferns. Early in her career, the Auckland girl represented the Cornwall Cricket Club.

The seamer made her domestic debut during the 2021/22 season, featuring in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield for the Auckland Hearts. Over the following seasons, she developed into one of Auckland’s most reliable bowlers. Her breakthrough came in the 2024/25 season when she finished as the leading wicket-taker for her side, claiming 29 wickets across formats at an impressive average of around 21. Among her standout efforts were four-wicket hauls, including figures of 4 for 39 and 4 for 49, which highlighted her ability to trouble top-order batters with swing and accuracy.

The 2003-born cricketer's consistent domestic form earned her a call-up to the New Zealand national side in early 2025. Illing made her ODI and T20I debuts against Sri Lanka, immediately making an impact with her sharp left-arm pace and crucial wickets.

In her debut ODI game, she took the prized scalp of Chamari Athapaththu. Her ability to provide early breakthroughs added variety and potency to the White Ferns’ attack.

In June 2025, Illing’s rapid rise was rewarded with her maiden central contract with New Zealand Cricket. Later that year, she was named in the White Ferns squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup, confirming her status as one of the brightest young fast-bowling prospects in New Zealand women’s cricket.

Illing, who considers legendary Kiwi seamer Trent Boult as he role model, says that her job in the White Ferns is to go "hunting the stumps". 

Apart from cricket, Illing is a science graduate from the University of Auckland. As an elite athlete, Illing has been part of the High Performance Support (HPS) Programme at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, a set-up that affords her some flexibility around her studies, especially if she’s away on tour.  

Illing almost gave up the game after a debilitating injury as a teen. But with the work of her physio, Martyn Sigley, who was a former first-class cricketer, she was able to make a full return to the game.  

The pacer never thought to make a career out of cricket and played several sports, including Water polo and Football, while growing up.

(As of October 2025)