The big guns are back.
Stars Sophie Devine, Melie Kerr and Lea Tahuhu have returned to the side for the T20 series against Australia starting at Eden Park on Friday.
The T20 world champions will play their rivals in three T20 internationals in Auckland, Tauranga, and Wellington.
The games are all doubleheaders. They are sharing the billing with the Black Caps, who will complete their five-game T20 series against Pakistan.
Devine is returning following a wellbeing break which saw her skip the Super Smash and the home series against Sri Lanka.
Kerr, who is the ICC’s women’s cricketer of the year, is back after helping the Mumbai Indians claim their second Women’s Premiere League crown.
Kerr produced a player-of-the-match performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final.
She clobbered 43 off 38 and took three for 24 guiding the White Ferns to a 32-run victory.
And Tahuhu’s return will strengthen the pace attack. She has been sidelined from international cricket with a hamstring complaint since December.
There is welcome news for Otago opener Bella James. She was ruled out of the series against Sri Lanka due to a quadricep strain.
She also missed the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final which Otago won.
James is uncapped in international T20 cricket but played two ODIs against Australia just before Christmas.
Otago wicketkeeper Polly Inglis has also kept her spot in the side. Her rival, Izzy Gaze, has been ruled out due to injury.
Otago’s Suzie Bates will continue as interim captain for the series.
White Ferns
For Australia series
Suzie Bates (captain), Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu.
