New Zealand's women's cricket squad has been unveiled for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month, with four uncapped players ready to make their international debuts.
The White Ferns have added four new players to their 15-man roster, with several veterans who were part of the catastrophic ICC Cricket World Cup campaign at home earlier this year having just retired or failed to secure annual contracts.
While Amy Satterthwaite declared her retirement after learning that her name was not on the list of contracted players provided by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) lately, veterans like Katey Martin, Lea Tahuhu, Frankie Mackay, and Leigh Kasperek all found themselves out of favour.
Batswoman Georgia Plimmer, spinner Eden Carson, and wicketkeepers Izzy Gaze and Jess McFadyen have all been picked, with veteran skipper Sophie Devine leading the New Zealand side once again.
Following a men's 50-over version played in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, Devine said she was delighted about the idea of women's cricket being included in the Commonwealth Games.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) cited Devine as saying on Wednesday, "We can't wait to get on the plane." "It is a true honour to be the first women's cricket team to represent the country at a worldwide event like the Commonwealth Games."
"It's been lovely to get the group back together at Bay Oval this week, and our new squad members are settling in nicely," she said.
The reintroduction of cricket to the Commonwealth Games, according to New Zealand Cricket CEO David White, is a fantastic way to promote the women's game.
"Cricket's return to the Commonwealth Games is a fantastic development for the women's and girl's game, both here and around the world," he added.
"I'm confident the players will enjoy being part of a larger New Zealand team, as well as the slightly different backdrop of the Games environment."
The Commonwealth Games begin on July 29 at Edgbaston, with New Zealand's first match in the eight-team event versus South Africa the next day.
New Zealand squad: Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe.