Lea Tahuhu of New Zealand celebrating a wicket, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The White Ferns will be without their top ODI wicket-taker Lea Tahuhu for the Rose Bowl series against Australia with the Canterbury speedster ruled out with injury.
Tahuhu suffered a hamstring injury playing in the domestic one day competition last month.
The 34-year-old is expected to be fit by early January and will make her return to action in the Super Smash competition.
Her withdrawal has been off set by the return of Central Hinds pace bowler Rosemary Mair for her first ODI series since 2022, following her withdrawal from the squad that faced England last summer due to a back injury.
Mair, New Zealand's second-highest wicket-taker at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, did not feature in the recent ODI series in India as further injury management was required before returning to 50-over cricket.
Bella James of the Otago Sparks. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Otago Sparks top-order batter Bella James earns her maiden call up in the 13-strong squad for the three-match series in Wellington this week.
James, who has represented the Otago Sparks 137 times since 2014, has been rewarded following strong domestic form.
The right-handed opener currently sits second on the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield run-scoring charts with 293 runs after five games, including a match-winning century against last year's runners up the Wellington Blaze late last month.
The 25-year-old's call up follows the news last month that opening batter Georgia Plimmer had sustained a bone stress reaction in her left hip, ruling her out of cricket until next year.
This series will mark the first time since 2020 that the two sides are competing for the Rose Bowl trophy, which currently sits in the hands of the visitors.
Record crowds are set to be in attendance, with a surge in ticket reservations since NZC announced the 1st ODI would be free entry to mark the White Ferns first match on home soil since becoming World Champions.
Selector Sarah Tsukigawa said James' domestic form and dynamic batting abilities earned her place in the squad.
"She's been working hard at the domestic level for many years, and her current form in HBJ shows why she deserves this opportunity," said Tsukigawa
"Bella's ability to hit 360 degrees around the ground with power is a valuable quality."
Tsukigawa said introducing new players to the team can help build positive competition.
"We see that if there can be more competition for roles, that will continue to raise the quality of the group.
"We're gutted to not have Georgia or Lea for this series but injuries do create opportunities to explore how other players could fit in."
WHITE FERNS ODI Squad
- Sophie Devine (C), Wellington Blaze
- Suzie Bates, Otago Sparks
- Eden Carson Otago Sparks
- Lauren Down Auckland Hearts
- Izzy Gaze Auckland Hearts
- Maddy Green Auckland Hearts
- Brooke Halliday Auckland Hearts
- Bella James* Otago Sparks
- Fran Jonas Auckland Hearts
- Jess Kerr Wellington Blaze
- Melie Kerr Wellington Blaze
- Rosemary Mair Central Hinds
- Molly Penfold Auckland Hearts
*new cap
New Zealand v Australia - Chemist Warehouse ODI Series Schedule
- 1st ODI - 11.00am Thursday 19 December - Basin Reserve - FREE ENTRY
- 2nd ODI - 11.00am Saturday 21 December - Basin Reserve
- 3rd ODI - 11.00am Monday 23 December - Basin Reserve
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