Wicketkeeper-batter Jess McFadyen is poised to make her international debut, after being named in the White Ferns squad for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.
The Wellington star is the only new name in an otherwise unchanged group that beat the West Indies in their recent one-day and Twenty20 international series, replacing Izzy Gaze.
Last year, McFadyen, 31, received her first White Ferns contract, and was named in the squads for both the tour of England and the Commonwealth Games, but didn't play a match. She wasn't selected for the West Indies series.
White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer says McFadyen's inclusion is an opportunity to see what she could offer behind the stumps, as they experiment with selection, before next year's T20 World Cup.
"Jess brings great energy," said Sawyer. "When we worked together at the Commonwealth Games, I was really impressed with what she brought to the team environment and she has good experience with the bat, especially in that middle order.
"The objective is always to go out and win games of cricket, but we also want to make sure we prepare thoroughly for the World Cup next year.
"We used the recent series in the West Indies to try different combinations with bat and ball, and we also want to do that with the wicketkeepers. We want to see what Jess can bring to the team.
"We're also in a fortunate position that we have a New Zealand Development team touring India, which Izzy is involved in, so we’re able to give both players experience in different conditions and against different opposition."
Sophie Devine will captain the side, alongside familiar faces Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Maddy Green, Lea Tahuhu and Hayley Jensen, who join the squad after spells in the Australian Women’s Big Bash League.
Lea Tahuhu and batter Georgia Plimmer have been included in the squad for the T20 fixtures only. Seamers Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold will join the squad for the ODI series.
The White Ferns will play three T20s and two ODIs against Bangladesh, with the first T20 at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on December 2.
The series will be the first on home soil under new coach Ben Sawyer, who took the reins from Bob Carter, after the team's disappointing World Cup campaign earlier this year.
"Personally, for me, it's really exciting to be back playing in New Zealand," added Sawyer. “Over the last couple of months, we’ve put together a blueprint of how we want to play, particularly in the T20 format, with an eye on the World Cup next year.
"This tour will be a great opportunity to continue working and refining those plans, and making any necessary adjustments.
"At the moment, we think we’ve got a pretty good style of play and so it will be about putting all of that together, on what should be some good wickets at home."
