Softball: White Sox callup for Auckland teenager

By JULIE ASH

Auckland's Casey Roper is the only new cap in the national women's team named to play Australia in Wellington and Lower Hutt this month.

Nineteen-year-old Roper has been named in the infield in the 15-strong White Sox side to play four tests against the Sydney Olympic bronze medallists on November 26 and 27.

Roper was a member of the New Zealand under-19 team who contested the junior girls world series in 1999.

The Australian series was only confirmed a few weeks ago, after Australia cancelled their tour to the United States following the terrorist attacks.

White Sox coach Mike Walsh said the series would give New Zealand a chance to increase their player depth at international level.

"Casey is one of our development players," he said.

"We selected 30 players at the beginning of the year and Casey was one of those athletes. This is an opportunity to give some of those development players some international experience."

Because of the short notice, several players in the White Sox training squad, including veteran Rhonda Hira, were unavailable because of work and personal commitments.

Injury also put promising young pitchers Sheree Cartwright and Naomi Ioasa out of contention.

Hutt Valley's Melisa Upu, a veteran of three world series, returns to the side after missing much of last season through injury, while another promising Hutt Valley player, Upu Lote, is recalled after recovering from knee surgery last November.

She joins older sister Togi Lote in the side.

Walsh says this series is a bonus for his team as they prepare for the women's world series in Canada next July.

"Australia have beaten us more than we have beaten them in recent years. We have had the odd win against them, but they are really a benchmark for us."

The Australian team will also take part in the Brother Patrick tournament in Auckland from November 16-18 and the Saints tournament in Lower Hutt from November 23-25, as well as playing a New Zealand Maori side and local selections in Auckland, Wellington and Hutt Valley.

White Sox:

Pitchers: Ruta Lealamanua (Wellington), Philippa McKenzie (Auckland), Michelle Kingi (Auckland).

Catchers: Cindy Potae (Hutt Valley), Togi Lote (Wellington).

Infield: Fiona Timu (Auckland), Upu Lote (Wellington), Api Stone-O'Kane (Wellington), Casey Roper (Auckland), Char Pouaka (Canterbury), Amy Stead (Wellington).

Outfield: Melanie Hulme (Canterbury), Melisa Upu (Hutt Valley), Kim Dermott (Canterbury), Zavana Aranga (Hutt Valley).