New Zealand slot in new trio to address injury concerns for Sri Lanka T20Is
Injuries have forced changes into the New Zealand women T20I squad for the upcoming home encounter against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand women are set to take on Sri Lanka in a three-game T20I series starting March 14.
Injuries to wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze [a hip flexor issue], seamer Hayley Jensen [a hip flexor issue], and batter Bella James [quadricep concerns] have ruled them out of the upcoming series. Izzy had featured in the ODIs against Sri Lanka.
"We're all feeling for Izzy, Hayley, and Bella," White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer said. "It's disappointing for the team and the players, but I know those three have the determination and resilience to bounce back."
This means call up for wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis, left-arm seamer Bree Illing, and allrounder Flora Devonshire have replaced them. Polly and Illing have featured in three Women’s ODIs each - incidentally making their debuts in the preceding three-game ODI series against Sri Lanka, while Flora is yet to make her international debut.
New Zealand's moment of glory
The White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer was excited at the prospect of the three youngsters joining the lineup.
“Bree and Polly had a really positive start to their ODI career. They both showed great intent and execution and I'm confident they're ready to take on this next challenge.
“Flora's shown a lot of all-round potential at the domestic level and is another exciting young player that has qualities consistent with what we're looking for in the White Ferns.”
New Zealand are arriving into the shortest format series on the back of winning the three-game ODI series against the Island nation, 2-0, after the first game was washed out.
Squad: Suzie Bates (c), Maddy Green, Polly Inglis, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Brooke Halliday, Emma McLeod, Eden Carson, Bree Illing, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Flora Devonshire