The youngest ever player to attend a World Cup has been named in an otherwise experienced New Zealand women's cricket team for next month's tournament in England.
White Ferns captain Suzie Bater and legspinner Amelia Kerr discuss field settings. Photo: Photosport
16 year old Wellington leg spinner Amelia Kerr is posied to become New Zealand's youngest representative at a World Cup.
Twelve of the 15-strong squad attended last year's World T20 in India, while six players have more than fifty One Day Internationals to their name.
Suzie Bates, who in 2016 became the first player to win both the ICC Women's ODI and T20I Player of the Year awards in the same year, will captain the side in her third 50-over World Cup.
Hard hitting Wellington all-rounder Sophie Devine returns to the side after breaking her thumb at the start of the year.
White Ferns coach Hadee Tiffen said selecting the final 15 players was seriously challenging.
"We've had a lot of players put their hands up domestically, internationally and during our two recent camps - so the last few spots were particularly fiercely contested," she said.
"I'm really happy with the balance of the squad. I think it's a strong team who are certainly capable of bringing that cup home.
"It's really exciting to have Amelia in the squad and she's proved herself more than ready for the big stage.
"With the likes of Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Katey Martin and Sophie Devine - we're not short on leaders in the group.
"There's been a real focus on our team-first mentality and everyone's bought into that - which means we'll turn up in England as a tight, motivated unit."
Auckland pace bowler Holly Huddleston's outstanding 2016/17 season has seen her selected for her maiden world tournament, while all-rounder Anna Petersen has been named for her first 50-over World Cup.
The format for the eight-team tournament has every nation facing each other once, after which the top four teams advance to the semi-finals, ahead of a final at Lord's on July 23.
WHITE FERNS World Cup squad (caps in bold)
Suzie Bates, Captain, (98), (Otago)
Erin Bermingham, (31), (Canterbury)
Sophie Devine, (80), (Wellington)
Maddy Green, (10), (Auckland)
Holly Huddleston, (18), (Auckland)
Leigh Kasperek, (9), (Otago)
Amelia Kerr, (7), (Wellington)
Katey Martin, (57), (Otago)
Thamsyn Newton, (8), (Canterbury)
Katie Perkins, (55), (Auckland)
Anna Peterson, (20), (Auckland)
Rachel Priest, (80), (Wellington)
Hannah Rowe, (10), (Central Districts)
Amy Satterthwaite, Vice-Captain, (95), (Canterbury)
Lea Tahuhu, (46), (Canterbury)
