Photo Credit: New Zealand Cricket
Following successful starts to their WHITE FERNS careers, Brooke Halliday and Fran Jonas are set to face Australia for the first time, while Lea Tahuhu returns from injury.
Halliday scored back-to-back 50s in her first two ODI appearances and has been rewarded with selection in both the T20 and ODI squads, while Jonas has been named for the T20 series and Tahuhu the one-dayers.
The WHITE FERNS are set to take on the number one ranked Australian side in three T20s, which are all double-headers played alongside the BLACKCAPS, starting at Seddon Park on Sunday March 28.
The season then concludes with three ODIs at Bay Oval in Tauranga, where the coveted Rose Bowl is up for grabs.
WHITE FERNS Head Coach Bob Carter said the tour represented a great opportunity.
“We’re up for the challenge against Australia,” he said.
“To be the best, you have to beat the best and we know we’re going to have to be at the very top of our game.”
Carter said both Halliday and Jonas deserved to be retained for Australia.
“Brooke and Fran have come in and impressed everyone,” he said.
“Brooke’s performances first up against England showed she’s got what it takes and we’re excited to give her more opportunities at this level.
“Fran has fitted in extremely well and shown a real willingness to learn and grow as a cricketer – her youthful exuberance is infectious.”
Canterbury speedster Lea Tahuhu has recovered from her hamstring strain but wasn’t considered for the T20s, with the selectors opting to see her play fresh in the ODI format.
WHITE FERNS Captain Sophie Devine is set to play her 100th T20 against Australia, but before that will join the BLACKCAPS in camp this week to observe how they go about their business.
“It’s a great opportunity to see how the BLACKCAPS inner sanctum go about their work,” said Devine.
“As a team they’ve managed a sustained period of success, so any little insights I can glean and take back to the WHITE FERNS camp will be invaluable.”
Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @sophdevine77
“I’ve also done short stints with the Silver Ferns and Black Ferns over the past few months with an eye to developing our own team environment,” she said.
“The chance to connect with other elite female athletes is important for our own learning and growth. Both the Silver Ferns and Black Ferns are world champions in their respective codes, so to experience those team environments has been great.
“To play 100 T20s will be a really special occasion and I’m excited to join the club alongside Suzie and Amy,” said Devine.
Sunday’s double-header will also be the first time the WHITE FERNS feature on TVNZ’s Channel 1, in the prime-time slot of 7:10pm.
Skipper Devine is excited at the prospect of the prime-time billing and has expressed a deep desire for improvement on the park.
“We are motivated and keen to put on a good show for our fans,” she said.
“To be playing on free-to-air TV on a Sunday night is a big step forward for the women’s game. We know thousands of new fans will see us play for the very first time.”
OPENING T20 DOUBLE-HEADER:
BLACKCAPS v Bangladesh – 2:00pm
Watch LIVE on TV1 & Spark Sport
Listen LIVE on Magic Talk & Rova
WHITE FERNS v Australia – 7:10pm
Watch LIVE on TV1 & Spark Sport
Listen LIVE on Rova
Both matches played on March 28 at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
WHITE FERNS T20
Sophie Devine (c) (Wellington)
Maddy Green (Wellington)
Brooke Halliday (Northern Districts)
Hayley Jensen (Otago)
Fran Jonas* (Auckland)
Melie Kerr (Wellington)
Jess Kerr (Wellington)
Rosemary Mair (Central Districts)
Frankie Mackay (Canterbury)
Katey Martin (wk) (Otago)
Thamsyn Newton (Wellington)
Hannah Rowe (Central Districts)
Amy Satterthwaite (vc) (Canterbury)
*potential T20 debutante
WHITE FERNS ODI
Sophie Devine (c) (Wellington)
Lauren Down (Auckland)
Maddy Green (Wellington)
Brooke Halliday (Northern Districts)
Hayley Jensen (Otago)
Leigh Kasperek (Wellington) – GAMES 2 & 3 ONLY
Melie Kerr (Wellington)
Jess Kerr (Wellington)
Frankie Mackay (Canterbury)
Rosemary Mair (Central Districts)
Katey Martin (wk) (Otago)
Hannah Rowe (Central Districts) – GAME 1 ONLY
Amy Satterthwaite (vc) (Canterbury)
Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury)
**Suzie Bates wasn’t considered for selection in either squad due to injury (shoulder).
***Lea Tahuhu wasn’t considered for T20 selection.
