Central Hinds pace duo ROSEMARY MAIR and HANNAH ROWE have been named in the WHITE FERNS T20 squad to play England starting on 3 March 2021.

The T20 Series will be played as doubleheader fixtures with the BLACKCAPS v Australia T20is in Wellington, Auckland and Mount Maunganui, following the upcoming ODI Series with England this month.

Mair's selection marks her return from a side strain picked up in the wake of her maiden stint in the WBBL at the start of the season while Rowe will continue on from the ODIs, and is currently in action in Queenstown in the first warm-up game against England for the NZXI.

Canterbury Magician and former Central Hind Kate Ebrahim and Wellington Blaze's Thamsyn Newton have both won recalls to the 13-strong squad on the back of their strong Dream11 Super Smash form.

Hawke's Bay-based Ebrahim last played for the New Zealand team in 2018 and returns to the national side after the birth of her first daughter with husband and CD Performance and Pathways coach Dion Ebrahim, while Newton’s last T20 International was against Pakistan in 2017.

WHITE FERNS Selector Jason Wells said their return was reward for strong domestic performances.

“Kate has been excellent with the bat for the Magicians and yesterday’s match-winning knock in the Grand Final capped off a superb Super Smash campaign for her. Thamsyn is an athletic cricketer whose all-round skills have served the Blaze well in their T20 campaign.”

Wells said the remainder of the squad had a familiar feel to it, adding he had been impressed by senior WHITE FERNS stepping up for their Major Associations.

“We have shown faith in this group of cricketers and believe they have the skills and talent to compete against a strong English side,” he said.

Suzie Bates wasn’t considered for selection given her shoulder injury.

2021 GJ Gardner Series

WHITE FERNS v England

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3 March • T20i 1 at Sky Stadium, Wellington, 3PM

5 March • T20i 2 at Eden Park, Auckland, 3PM

7 March • T20i 3 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, Noon

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WHITE FERNS

T20 International squad

Sophie Devine (captain)

ROSEMARY MAIR

HANNAH ROWE

Kate Ebrahim

Maddy Green

Hayley Jensen

Leigh Kasperek

Melie Kerr

Jess Kerr

Katey Martin (w)

Thamsyn Newton

Amy Satterthwaite (vice-captain)

Lea Tahuhu

Article added: Sunday 14 February 2021