Cricket: New faces in White Ferns squad

White Ferns coach Gary Stead. Photo / Getty Images

White Ferns coach Gary Stead has added two new faces and recalled two other players for his 14-strong squad to meet Australia in the upcoming Rose Bowl series.

The squad features 10 players who competed in last year's quadrangular series in England with Maddy Green (Auckland) and Katie Perkins (Auckland) yet to be capped. Rachel Candy (Canterbury) and Morna Nielsen (Northern Districts) have been recalled .

"It's an exciting time for the White Ferns with a new era about to get underway," Stead said.

"The upcoming series is an opportunity for new captain Suzie Bates to stamp her make on the side and set the tone for how we are going to move forward.

"We are aware that we did not perform well in our last few matches and need to improve in across the board if we are to overcome a strong Australian side."

The White Ferns meet Australia in five Twenty20 internationals, punctuated by three 50-over encounters across the Tasman during a two-week tour.

The first three Twenty20s will be played on January 20, 21 and 22, followed by three one-day internationals before the series concludes with another two 20-over games that act as curtain-raisers to Twenty20 internationals between Australia and India's mens teams.

National Selector Manager Kim Littlejohn added: "The squad has been picked on the back of a hard-fought domestic competition. It's encouraging to see the experienced players perform well and a new crop of players put their hand up.

"Top order batsman Maddy Green has been on the radar for some time and deserves her chance after impressing for the Auckland Hearts in the Action Cricket Twenty20 competition where she has hit 150 runs at an average of 37.50.

"Katie Perkins also demanded a spot in the squad with strong performances in the domestic competition. In seven Twenty20 innings Perkins has hit 126 runs and only been dismissed once. Her batting along with her world-class fielding has played a major part in the success of the Hearts this season.

"Weight of numbers also led to the recall of all-rounders Rachel Candy and Morna Nielsen who have been consistent performers this summer."

Squad: Suzie Bates (captain, Otago Sparks), Amy Satterthwaite (vice-captain, Canterbury Magicians), Kate Broadmore (Central Hinds), Rachel Candy (Canterbury Magicians), Lucy Doolan (Wellington Blaze), Maddy Green (Auckland Hearts), Frances Mackay (Canterbury Magicians), Katey Martin (Otago Sparks), Sara McGlashan (Central Hinds), Morna Nielsen (Northern Spirit), Katie Perkins (Auckland Hearts), Liz Perry (Wellington Blaze), Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury Magicians), Sian Ruck (Wellington Blaze)