New Zealand have named a 15-player White Ferns squad for their three-match T20I series against Australia this month. Captain Melie Kerr will lead the team, with Eden Carson, Molly Penfold, Hannah Rowe, and Bella James returning to the side. Eleven players from the White Ferns ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad have been selected. The series will be the first international assignment of the 2026-27 season and forms part of preparations for the inaugural 2027 ICC Women’s Champion Trophy in India.
Carson returns after elbow surgery kept her sidelined since last December. She has 51 international caps and will strengthen the spin department alongside Nensi Patel, Flora Devonshire, and Kerr. Penfold and Rowe return to the pace attack following the recent retirements of Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu. James will add to the batting line-up after Suzie Bates’ departure. Rowe has 47 T20I caps and spent time in winter in Sri Lanka with New Zealand A alongside James, while Penfold returned from the Women’s T20 Max in Australia after representing the Sandgate Redcliffe Gators.
Wicket-keeper batter Izzy Gaze was unavailable for selection following surgery to an ongoing thumb injury, meaning Polly Inglis will take the gloves. Gaze is working towards returning to play in early 2027. Dean Brownlie, who has been the White Ferns batting coach for nearly four years, will step in as interim head coach for the tour following Ben Sawyer’s departure. Additional coach support for the series will be announced next week. Melie Kerr will captain the side, while Polly Inglis will take the gloves during Gaze’s absence.
New Zealand Women’s T20I squad:
Melie Kerr (C), Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (WK), Bella James, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp
Brownlie said the tour against the current ICC Women’s T20 World Cup champions would be an opportunity. “We’re excited to welcome back Eden, Hannah, Molly, and Bella,” he said. “There’s a balance of experience and future-focus in this squad and it’s going to be a chance for the group to test themselves against a quality side. “Competing against the best in the world is always going to be a challenge, but it also provides a lot of opportunities to learn and strengthen skill sets within that.”
Carson spoke about her return to the international arena. “To be back in the White Ferns environment is really special,” she said. “The rehab process has taken a lot of patience, but I’ve been fortunate to have great support around me and I’m feeling ready to get back out there and contribute.”
The squad will depart for Australia on Monday October 12 ahead of the team’s warm-up fixture against a Governor General’s XI on Thursday October 15. All three T20Is against Australia will be hosted at North Sydney Oval, with matches broadcast live in New Zealand on Sky Sport. The schedule is:
Schedule:
1st T20I – Sun 18th Oct – 9:15pm NZT
2nd T20I – Tues 20th Oct – 9:15pm NZT
3rd T20I – Thurs 22nd Oct – 9:15pm NZT
The Australia tour will begin the 2026-27 season for the White Ferns, with Melie Kerr as captain. Carson returns after her injury absence, while Penfold, Rowe, and James return. Polly Inglis will take the gloves in Gaze’s absence, and Brownlie will serve as interim head coach following Sawyer’s departure. The team will prepare for the warm-up and three T20Is in Australia.
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