Wellington Blaze wicket-keeper-batter Jess McFadyen will make her long-awaited WHITE FERNS debut in the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.

The 31-year-old is the only new face in an otherwise unchanged squad that won both the one-day and T20 series on the recent tour to the West Indies, with fellow wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze making way.

McFadyen has had to bide her time since receiving her first WHITE FERNS contract last season.

She was included in the squad for last year’s tour of England and the recent Commonwealth Games, but didn’t feature in either campaign, and missed out on selection for the recent West Indies tour.

WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer said the series, which comprises three T20s and three ODIs, was a good opportunity for McFadyen to show her skills on the international stage.

“Debuting for your country is always a special moment, so we’re delighted to be welcoming Jess into the side for what will be an exciting series,” said Sawyer.

“Jess brings great energy - 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 that 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, so we want to have a look at Jess this tour and see what she can bring to the team.

“We’re also in a fortunate position that we have a New Zealand Development team heading away to tour India, which Izzy (Gaze) is involved in, so we’re able to give both players experience in different conditions and against different opposition.

Canterbury Magicians fast bowler Lea Tahuhu and Wellington Blaze batter Georgia Plimmer have been included in the squad for the T20 fixtures only which start at Hagley Oval on December 2.

Seamers Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold will join the squad for the ODI series in Wellington which begins at the Cello Basin Reserve on December 11.

Sophie Devine will captain the side and will be joined by familiar faces Suzie Bates, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Maddy Green, Lea Tahuhu and Hayley Jensen who join the squad following spells in the Women’s Big Bash.

WHITE FERNS squad v Bangladesh
Sophie Devine (c) (Wellington Blaze)

Suzie Bates (Otago Sparks)

Eden Carson (Otago Sparks)

Lauren Down (Auckland Hearts)
Maddy Green (Wellington Blaze)

Brooke Halliday (Northern Brave)
Hayley Jensen (Otago Sparks)
Fran Jonas (Auckland Hearts)
Amelia Kerr (Wellington Blaze)
Jess Kerr (Wellington Blaze)
Jess McFadyen (Wellington Blaze)
Molly Penfold (Auckland Hearts) (ODIs only)
Georgia Plimmer  (Wellington Blaze) (T20s only)
Hannah Rowe (Central Hinds) (ODIs only)

Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury Magicians) (T20s only)

Article added: Tuesday 29 November 2022