Auckland's Lauren Down and Central District's Rosemary Mair have picked up fulltime cricket contracts for the upcoming 2019/20 White Ferns' season.
Batswoman Down and pace bowler Mair will join an experienced core group of 17 players to prepare for a home series against South Africa, followed by the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Wellington Blaze wicket-keeper batswoman Rachel Priest and Auckland Hearts captain Anna Petersen also return as contracted players.
The players are currently at a winter training camp at New Zealand Cricket's High-Performance Centre in Lincoln, and coach Bob Carter feels the mix of youth and experience will serve the team well.
"It's great to be involved with the White Ferns and see who will put their hand up and demand selection over the coming month," Carter said.
"It's a big few months ahead as we look forward to the South Africa series here in New Zealand, then the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia next year.
"Competition within a team is most certainly a positive for the environment. It's natural when you have professional athletes wanting to improve and play for their country.
"The new master agreement gives us coaches more face-to-face time with players which can only serve to improve skills and create a positive team culture."
White Ferns squad: Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Rachel Priest, Hannah Rowe, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu.
Newshub.
