Three CENTRAL HINDS have been named in an exciting New Zealand XI to face Bangladesh in two warm-up matches starting on Monday, with Central Hinds head coach JAMIE WATKINS named to co-coach the team in conjunction with Otago's Craig Cumming.

The news is particularly exciting for NATALIE DODD who comes back into national focus. The class Hinds captain and strokemaker is joined by current WHITE FERN HANNAH ROWE and swing bowler CLAUDIA GREEN who has made two tours with the national side over the last two years without yet gaining a starting cap.

CLAUDIA GREEN | PHOTOSPORT

Bangladesh will square off against the New Zealand XI in a 50-over and T20 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln next week as they prepare for the full international series against the WHITE FERNS, starting at Hagley Oval next Friday - with an ODI day/nighter at Napier's McLean Park from 2pm on Wednesday 14 December.

Two other former WHITE FERNS top order players, former Hind Kate Ebrahim (Otago Sparks) and Bernadine Bezuidenhout (Northern Districts) have also been rewarded off the back of their centuries in last weekend’s opening rounds of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

All will have an opportunity to impress in front of WHITE FERNS head coach and selector, Ben Sawyer.

Dodd most recently appeared for the WHITE FERNS against England in 2021, and will take the gloves for the NZ XI.

NATALIE DODD | PHOTOSPORT

The matches will be the first time a New Zealand XI women’s side has been in action since 2021, when England was beaten in a one-day tour match in Queenstown.

NZC Head of Women’s High Performance and CD Alumna Liz Green said the two matches provided a good opportunity for players who had shown promise in recent domestic performances.

“This is an exciting squad that includes international experience, as well as a handful of players who will be staking their claim in the future”, said Green.

“We’ve already seen some really strong performances in the opening rounds of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, and those players have been rewarded with selection, as have players who’ve performed consistently over a number of seasons.

“We’ve also included players who we feel can benefit from experience against international teams; these matches are another step in their development.

Green noted the warm-up matches were opportunities for players the selectors considered suited to the WHITE FERNS' style of play.

“We have focused on developing a really clear style of how we want to play both forms of cricket, and the players selected for these matches are those we think will complement that style.

“We want to be developing a clear pathway into the WHITE FERNS environment and that means having players throughout the pathway understanding that style.

“There’s a lot of talent in this squad, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it fares.”

The squad assembles in Christchurch on Sunday, ahead of a one-day match on Monday and a T20 match on Wednesday, both at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

The WHITE FERNS squad to face Bangladesh will be named on Monday.

New Zealand XI

v

Bangladesh Women

11am Monday 28 November • 50-over match •  Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

11am Wednesday 30 November • T20  • Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

NATALIE DODD - wicketkeeper, Central Hinds

HANNAH ROWE - Central Hinds

CLAUDIA GREEN - Central Hinds

Bernadine Bezuidenhout - Northern Districts

Rebecca Burns - Wellington Blaze

Deanna Doughty - Wellington Blaze

Kate Ebrahim - Otago Sparks

Leigh Kasperek - Wellington Blaze

Shriya Naidu - Northern Districts

Thamsyn Newton - Wellington Blaze

Molly Penfold - Auckland Hearts

Saachi Shahri - Auckland Hearts

Gabby Sullivan - Canterbury Magicians

Co-coaches

Jamie Watkins (Central Hinds) & Craig Cumming (Otago Sparks)

Matches will be livescored and livestreamed at www.nzc.nz & on the NZC app

 

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Article added: Friday 25 November 2022