White Ferns New Zealand A named strong squad for white-ball tour against England

A host of internationals, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe and Izzy Gaze among them, headline New Zealand A's squad for their white-ball tour of England starting late June. A total of 11 players in the 15-member squad have played for New Zealand, and will be part of the three one-dayers and three T20s in what is the return leg of the bilateral 'A' series reintroduced to the New Zealand women's pathway last year. Izzy Sharp, Jess Watkin, Plimmer, wicketkeeper-batters Gaze, Bella James, and Polly Inglis, all-rounders Emma McLeod, Flora Devonshire, and bowlers Rowe, Molly Penfold, and Bree Illing, all of whom have represented New Zealand, are among the batters. The batting all-rounder Anna Browning, as well as the medium pacers Amie Hucker, Emma Black, and Nensi Patel, have not made their international debuts. The team's most experienced players are Rowe (107 internationals), Plimmer (67), and Gaze (55), while Watkin (15) and Penfold (24) have been in the senior lineup for some time. With the exception of James, all six international players earned their first New Zealand caps earlier this year. The team's captain has not yet been chosen. Canterbury men's assistant coach Brendon Donkers, who will lead the coaching unit of the side with support from Craig McMillan and Peter Borren, will name the captain "once the squad have assembled in England". "We're really excited to be sending this group of talented players to England," New Zealand Cricket's head of women's high-performance Liz Green said in a statement. "They'll have the opportunity to improve their game by playing against a tough opponent in various conditions and getting a taste of international touring. "Creating elevated playing opportunities is essential for developing depth and experience. We can also use it to test the readiness of high-potential players for international cricket and evaluate them at the next level." New Zealand A squad for white-ball tour of England ;- Emma Black, Anna Browning, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Amie Hucker, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Emma McLeod, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp, Jess Watkin