The White Ferns squad for the upcoming home series against Pakistan has been announced, and it includes one surprise teenaged selection.
Wellington Blaze leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, who celebrated her 16th birthday just four days ago, has been joined by Sophie Devine and Liz Perry as one of three changes to the squad which toured South Africa this month.
The Tawa College student has become the second youngest player to be picked to the national side following Muokoa Tunupopo back in 2000.
Kerr has been representing Wellington Blaze since she was 14, impressing with her consistency and economy in a discipline considered one of the most difficult in the game.
She can call on quite a family pedigree - her grandfather is former Test player Bruce Murray, her mother Jo played for Wellington women, and her father is Robbie Kerr – formerly a long-serving Firebirds representative.
Selector Haidee Tiffin said her selection was made with one eye on the Women’s World Cup in 2017.
“Our strategy is to use the opportunities we have to challenge players and to evaluate our game-plans, in order to give us the best possible lead-in to the world cup,” she said.
“Amelia has deserved this recognition – it’s a wonderful opportunity for her, and we’re also delighted to be welcoming back Sophie and Liz.”
The White Ferns will play their first three ODIs against Pakistan on at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval on November 9, 11 and 13, before moving to Nelson for the final two ODIs and the stand-alone T20.
WHITE FERNS SQUAD: Suzie Bates (c), Sam Curtis, Sophie Devine, Holly Huddleston, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Thamsyn Newton, Morna Nielsen, Katie Perkins, Liz Perry, Rachel Priest, Hannah Rowe, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu.
Newshub.