Barely 24 hours after Suzie Bates and Eden Carson helped the White Ferns seal their stunning win in the T20 World Cup final, a third Sparks player was getting some good news.
Otago wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis has earned her maiden call-up to the national side as part of the ODI squad to face India in a three-game series in Ahmedabad starting later this week.
The uncapped 28-year-old received her first New Zealand Cricket central contract in June following consistent performances with bat and gloves in last season’s domestic competitions and for New Zealand A.
Inglis, a regular in the Sparks since 2012, scored a calm 35 not out in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final to help Otago claim victory.
"I’m really excited about my first international tour," Inglis said.
"A potential debut ... I think that will be a pretty special moment. I know my family and friends will be watching if it happens."
White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer said the selection of Inglis was a nod to the future.
“We’re really excited to introduce Polly for her first tour,” Sawyer said.
“She put her hand up in last season’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and throughout the New Zealand A series against England, so it’s a great next step for her."
Auckland batter Lauren Down has also been included in the 15-player squad, after making her return to international cricket in July following a maternity break.
Central pace bowler Rosemary Mair has been rested for the series as part of her long-term rehabilitation from a serious back injury sustained earlier this year.
Mair’s bowling loads were managed at the T20 World Cup and it has been determined that further management is needed before she returns to 50-over cricket.
Mair and offspinner Leigh Kasperek are the only omissions from the squad who competed in the World Cup.
“Touring India is one of the great experiences in world cricket,” Sawyer said.
“It’s such a special place to come and I know everyone is looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“Alongside trying to win the series, the tour will serve as important preparation for next year’s ODI World Cup in India.”
It had been an "amazing" 24 hours for the team since their T20 World Cup victory, Sawyer said.
“We’re relishing the win but when we get to India we’ll need to refocus and set our sights on the next challenge.”
- Three White Ferns have been named in the T20 World Cup team of the tournament.
Amelia Kerr, named both player of the match in the final and player of the tournament trophy, is a natural inclusion following a superb campaign with bat and ball.
The 24-year-old took 15 wickets — the most by any player at a single Women’s T20 World Cup — and scored 135 runs, top-scoring with 43 in the final to help the White Ferns lift the trophy for the first time.
She is joined in the squad by team-mates Mair, who took 10 wickets at 11.70 including three in the final, and Carson, listed as 12th player in the tournament team after nine wickets of her own.
Finalists South Africa are represented through opening batters Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits and bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba.
English top-order batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Bangladesh captain and wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana, Indian batter Harmanpreet Kaur, Australian bowler Megan Schutt and West Indies pair Deandra Dottin and Afy Fletcher complete the team.
