KEY POINTS:
There is one new cap and one recalled player in the White Ferns squad of 14 players for the Rose Bowl home series against Australia and the ICC Women's World Cup in Sydney in March.
New Zealand Cricket has called Central Hinds bowler Abby Burrows into the side
for the first time.
Coach Gary Stead said Burrows had been a consistent performer at State League level for many years.
"She has tremendous ability to swing and seam the ball and will be a great asset to the side."
Kate Pulford has earned a recall after last wearing the national colours in 2003. The all-rounder has been in outstanding form for the Northern Spirit this season, with a high score of 96 and a strike rate of 87. She has also taken consistent wickets throughout the year with a best of three for 23 against Canterbury.
"Kate's a strong hitter of the ball and a versatile bowler - she has the potential to be a match-winner for us," Stead said.
The side also sees the return of Otago Sparks all-rounder Suzie Bates, who missed the last Rose Bowl series while preparing for her duties with the New Zealand basketball team at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Stead is confident the squad is a strong one, with a solid core of established players with good international credentials.
"This is a great team to be taking into a challenging season of international cricket," he said.
"We're really looking forward to the prospect of taking on Australia on our home territory again.
"Our last Rose Bowl series was very closely fought - we're positive we'll compete strongly this time around and this will be a good indication of where we are at just a month out from the World Cup."
New Zealand last met Australia in the Rose Bowl series at Lincoln last March, with Australia winning the series 3-2. The last time New Zealand had a series win was in 1999.
The Rose Bowl series also serves as preparation for the Women's World Cup, which begins in Sydney on March 7. The White Ferns open their tournament against Australia on March 8 and also face South Africa and the West Indies in group play.
SQUAD:
Haidee Tiffen (captain) Canterbury Magicians, Aimee Mason (vice captain) Central Hinds, Suzie Bates Otago Sparks, Nic Browne Northern Spirit, Abby Burrows Central Hinds, Sophie Devine Wellington Blaze, Lucy Doolan Wellington Blaze, Sara McGlashan Central Hinds Beth McNeill Canterbury Magicians, Katey Martin Otago Sparks, Rachel Priest Central Hinds, Kate Pulford Northern Spirit, Amy Satterthwaite Canterbury Magicians, Sarah Tsukigawa Otago Sparks.
- NZPA
