WHITE FERNS fans will get an early look into the future with four potential debutants named among the ODI and T20I squads to take on Sri Lanka next month.

Eighteen-year-old Central Hinds allrounder Emma McLeod, Canterbury Magicians batter Izzy Sharp (20), and Auckland Hearts seamer Bree Illing (21) have earned their maiden call up.

The trio of talented youngsters are all former New Zealand Under-19 representatives, with McLeod having recently returned from her second ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, and Sharp the former captain at the inaugural tournament.

McLeod has been selected fresh off a strong One Day campaign for the Central Hinds averaging 42 in the Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield, and is the among the top run-scorersin the competition.

Left-arm seamer Bree Illing comes off a breakout domestic season following her inclusion in the New Zealand A side last year. 

Illing, the third-top wicket-taker in the HBJ Shield, was a picture of economy in the Dream11 Super Smash finishing the competition with an economy rate of less than six, despite often bowling through the powerplay.

Otago Sparks wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis receives her second call up to an international squad following her inclusion in last year’s ODI squad to India.

Georgia Plimmer is set to make her return to international cricket after sustaining a bone stress reaction in her hip which has kept her sidelined since November. 

Otago Sparks batter Bella James, New Zealand’s fourth-highest run scorer during December’s Rose Bowl series, retains her ODI place and is named in her first T20I squad.

Following last week’s news that Molly Penfold will miss the remainder of the home summer after tearing her meniscus, Lea Tahuhu (hamstring) and Rosemary Mair (elbow) are also battling injuries.

Tahuhu and Mair picked up their injuries during the Dream11 Super Smash competition and are both due to return before the end of the home summer, with Mair expected to be fit for the Sri Lanka T20I series starting March 14, and Tahuhu tracking towards the Australia T20I series starting March 21.

Hayley Jensen has been named in her first WHITE FERNS squad since 2023. The Otago Sparks captain returning after a successful domestic season as one of the Sparks top wicket-takers while leading her region to two domestic Grand Finals.

Melie Kerr is unavailable for the series due to her Women’s Premier League commitments with the Mumbai Indians, as the revised tournament dates coincided with the series. 

WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer said the new faces were talented prospects.

“Emma, Bree and Izzy have been identified by Major Association and NZC coaches as players who have the desired competencies and skillsets to be effective in international cricket,” said Sawyer.

“Emma’s been in good form in the HBJ Shield and her ability to hit through the off-side and run well between the wickets is really valuable.

“Izzy impressed us with how she attacks spin, which is something that will come in handy this series.

“The way Bree attacks the stumps and swings the ball back into the right-hander is really important in the international game.

“We’re excited to give them an opportunity to perform at the next level.”

Sawyer stressed the importance of utilising the series to gain experience against spin with an eye to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India.

“Sri Lanka’s a tough opposition with a number of world-class spinners.

“Facing their spin unit is always a challenge but it will be great prep for us ahead of the World Cup.”

Sawyer said he expected all players in the squad to get an opportunity.

“We will try different combinations this series, and I’m looking forward to seeing players adapt to different roles.

“It’s an opportunity to test batters in different positions, and try different bowlers opening up and at the death.”

Suzie Bates, who led the team from 2011-2018, will be the interim captain for the series in lieu of Sophie Devine, who is taking a well-being break.

Devine stepped down from T20I captaincy following the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with her successor to be named in due course.

WHITE FERNS Squad

Suzie Bates (C) Otago Sparks
Eden Carson Otago Sparks

Izzy Gaze Otago Sparks

Maddy Green Auckland Hearts

Brooke Halliday Auckland Hearts

Bree Illing* Auckland Hearts – ODI only

Polly Inglis* Otago Sparks – ODI only

Bella James** Otago Sparks
Hayley Jensen Otago Sparks
Fran Jonas Auckland Hearts – T20I only
Jess Kerr Wellington Blaze
Rosemary Mair Central Hinds – T20I only
Emma McLeod* Central Hinds
Georgia Plimmer Wellington Blaze
Hannah Rowe Central Hinds – ODI only

Izzy Sharp* Canterbury Magicians – T20I only

* Potential international debut
** Potential T20I debut

The ODI squad will assemble in Napier on Sunday March 2 following the HBJ Shield Grand Final on Saturday.

The series will be broadcast live and free to air on TVNZ+, TV1, DUKE and Sport Nation, with live scoring at nzc.nz and the NZC App.