Black Caps batsman Martin Guptill faces a fitness test ahead of the Twenty20 Series against Australia, with Wellington breakout star Finn Allen named in the 13-strong squad as cover.
Finn Allen Photo: Photosport
Guptill missed the final two games of the Super Smash season with a hamstring injury, but will assemble with the squad in Christchurch on Friday in order prove his fitness.
Allen, bracketed with Guptill as cover, has accumulated impressive stats in the Super Smash - 512 at strike rate of 193 - and Black Caps selector Gavin Larsen says the 21-year-old is an exciting talent.
"Martin's our incumbent opener and our highest T20 international run scorer, so we're backing him to do the job at the top of the order, but he will need to prove his fitness and it's good to know we have a ready replacement in Finn on stand-by."
There's a familiar look to the rest of the Black Caps squad with batsmen Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman backed to continue in the middle order after strong starts to the international season.
Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Hamish Bennett make up the pace-bowling quartet, with Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi the spinners, while Jimmy Neesham has overcome his finger injury to be named as the all-rounder.
Larsen said this series represented a significant step on the road to the T20 World Cup in India in October and November.
"There's no doubt this series is massive for everyone involved," Larsen said.
"Australia will provide a really stern test for our guys, who I know will relish the chance to test themselves against the No.2 T20 side in the world.
"A five-game series also allows us to really nail down our game-plans and the way we want to play as we look ahead to the World Cup later this year."
In the White Ferns T20 squad, Canterbury's Kate Ebrahim and Thamsyn Newton (Wellington) have won recalls on the back of strong Super Smash form.
The pair have been included in the 13-strong squad to play England in three T20s in March.
Ebrahim last played against Australia in 2018, while Newton's last T20 international was against Pakistan in 2017.
White Ferns selector Jason Wells said their return was reward for strong domestic performances.
"Kate and Thamsyn have worked hard and proven their ability in the Super Smash this season," Wells said.
"Kate has been excellent with the bat for the Magicians and yesterday's match-winning knock in the final capped off a superb Super Smash campaign for her.
"Thamsyn is an athletic cricketer whose all-round skills have served the Blaze well in their T20 campaign."
Wells said the remainder of the squad had a familiar feel to it, adding he had been impressed by the way senior White Ferns players had stepped up for their domestic teams.
"We have shown faith in this group of cricketers and believe they have the skills and talent to compete against a strong English side," he said.
The White Ferns start their T20 series against England in Wellington on March 3, with the matches played as double-header fixtures alongside the Black Caps-Australia T20s.
Suzie Bates (shoulder) wasn't considered for selection due to injury.
Black Caps: Kane Williamson (c), Hamish Bennett, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill (pending fitness test), Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Finn Allen (injury cover).
White Ferns: Sophie Devine (c), Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr,
Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin (wk), Thamsyn Newton, Hannah Rowe, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea Tahuhu.
