The uncapped duo of Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight has been called up to the New Zealand squad for the white-ball home series against Zimbabwe that stats later this month. This will be the first instance of Zimbabwe and New Zealand playing a women's international series with each other and its three ODIs will count towards the ICC Women's Championship.
Experienced allrounder Suzie Bates (quadricep) and offspinner Eden Carson (elbow) were not considered for selection because of their respective injuries, whereas quick bowler Lea Tahuhu was "not considered" for the T20Is due to "physical preparation planning" ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup in June. Former captain Sophie Devine, who is on a casual contract with NZC, was not available for this series, an NZC release said.
The 23-year-old Nensi, an allrounder who bowls offspin, had also been centrally contracted nearly four years ago for the 2022-23 season. She has played for New Zealand A and had an impressive domestic summer for Northern Brave, finishing as their top run-scorer and joint second-highest wicket-taker alongside Knight in the Super Smash.
Knight, 22, is a right-arm quick who represented New Zealand in the Under-19 T20 World Cup. She finished with 10 wickets and an economy rate of 6.16 in the Super Smash. Knight was picked for the T20Is only and will be replaced by Molly Penfold for the ODIs. Penfold will join left-arm quick Bree Illing, Jess Kerr and Rosemary Mair to complete a four-pronged pace attack. Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis was also named for T20Is only while Penfold and Emma McLeod will feature in the ODIs only.
The six games - three games in each format - will be Amelia Kerr's first assignment as the New Zealand captain. The tour begins with three T20Is from February 25 before the ODIs begin on March 5. All T20Is will be played in Hamilton whereas the ODIs will be played in Dunedin.
New Zealand Women squad for Zimbabwe series
Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (T20Is only), Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Kayley Knight (T20Is only), Emma McLeod (ODIs only), Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold (ODIs only)
Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp