Maia Lewis takes over as NZ women's captain

Maia Lewis has regained the captaincy reins of the New Zealand women's team for the forthcoming tour of India and for the home and away series against Australia. She takes over from Emily Drumm who was unavailable to tour.

Lewis was previously captain in 1997-98 but had to give up the position when having knee reconstruction surgery after the World Cup in 1997. Lewis was out of the game for several seasons but returned to the White Ferns last summer, and captained Wellington, her provincial side.

Lewis was excited by the challenge ahead of her. "It's an honour to have the opportunity to lead my country again and exciting to be confronting two of the greatest challenges in women's cricket. I have toured India before so I have an understanding of the unique obstacles you have to overcome to be successful there. We then have the Rosebowl Series against Australia, who have had the wood on us in recent years, and who are setting the benchmark in women's cricket at the moment."

Lewis said as well as making tactical on-field decisions, she felt it would be her responsibility to help ensure there was a positive team environment. "It will be my job to help create an environment where everyone is contributing to the best of their ability."

Mike Shrimpton, the team coach and selection convener, said: "Maia has already shown earlier in her career that she has the capabilities to captain the team. Maia has captained the White Ferns in 17 internationals and the last time she captained them was in the 1997-98 season. She prefaced her return to full international cricket by captaining the New Zealand A team last summer.

"She led her team [Wellington] very well, leading by example in the field and showing good tactical sense. Her batting was also outstanding and she finished the season with an average of 63. At the New Zealand Cricket Awards she deservedly received the Ruth Martin Cup for the best batsman in women's cricket," said Shrimpton.

The New Zealand team for the tour of India will be named on October 14.