White Ferns name squad for India trip

New Zealand have included two new players in their squad for India's visit in March. Saraj Tsukigawa and Suzie Bates, both of Otago Sparks, are all set for their debuts. Haidee Tiffen has been elevated to captain in place of the recently retired Maia Lewis.

But, despite topping the batting averages and being the leading runscorer in domestic cricket this season, there was no place in either the full or A squad for former England international Mandie Godliman.

"The selection of both teams concentrates on the development of depth within women's cricket at this level as we look towards the women's World Cup," explained the White Ferns coach, Steve Jenkin.

To this end the selectors have included 24-year-old Tsukigawa, a hard-hitting middle-order batsman and medium pace bowler, and 18-year-old Bates, who has played basketball at international level. Bates has certainly impressed - she struck a record 183 not out in the league earlier this season.

The team will play three matches against New Zealand A, which will act as a warm-up to their five-match one-day series against India which starts in March.

The A side will be captained by Canterbury's Rowan Milburn and includes three players who have represented the full international side: Beth McNeill, Natalie Scripps and Katey Martin.

New Zealand squad
Haidee Tiffen (capt), Suzie Bates, Nicola Browne, Sarah Burke, Anna Dodd, Emily Drumm, Maria Fahey, Sara McGlashan, Aimee Mason, Louise Milliken, Rebecca Rolls, Sarah Tsukigawa, Helen Watson.

New Zealand A squad
Rowan Milburn, Rachel Candy, Selena Charteris, Ingrid Cronin-Knight, Tamara Gould, Megan Kane, Ros Kember, Beth McNeill, Zara McWilliams, Katey Martin, Elizabeth Perry, Amy Satterthwaite, Natalee Scripps.