Lauren Down and Mikaela Greig have been selected in the WHITE FERNS squad for the upcoming tour to England.
Down, who has played 41 internationals for New Zealand (28 ODIs and 13 T20Is), returns to the ODI squad after taking a break from cricket to become a first-time mother.
The Auckland Hearts batter last featured for the WHITE FERNS at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February 2023.
Greig’s selection follows her international debut in March when the Central Hinds batter was called up from the New Zealand A squad and then featured in the 1st T20I against England in Dunedin.
The pair are included in a wider 16-strong squad set to play three ODIs and five T20Is at eight venues across England, starting in Durham on June 26.
Pace bowler Rosemary Mair has been ruled out of the tour following the back pain that excluded her from the ODI series against England in April.
Molly Penfold returns as a seam bowling option following strong performances against England A in March, when she finished as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker behind Hayley Jensen.
Jensen was not considered for selection as she continues rehabilitation for a calf injury sustained during the New Zealand A series.
The remainder of the squad mirrors that which took part in the home leg of the bilateral series against England earlier this year.
WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer welcomed Down back.
“We’re really pleased to have Lauren back in the WHITE FERNS,” said Sawyer.
“She’s been working hard over the past four months to get herself into a position where she feels confident to play, and this tour feels like the right time to bring her back into the fold.”
Sawyer said Down and Greig’s recalls speak to long-term planning for pinnacle events.
“Every series is an opportunity to test what our best playing XI looks like, and with T20 and One Day World Cups looming it will be good to see where Lauren and Mikaela could fit in.”
On the preparation for England, Sawyer said he was pleased with the squad’s efforts.
“The players have spent the past six weeks training incredibly hard and we’ve been ticking all the boxes that we can, to get ready.
“When we faced England at home we didn’t get the results we were after but we did see gutsy performances from a range of players, which was really promising.
“Anytime you play a world-class team like England in their own backyard it’s going to be a challenge.
"But with the work that’s been put in, we’ve got ourselves into the best position possible to succeed.”
WHITE FERNS squad to England
Sophie Devine (C, Wellington Blaze)
Suzie Bates (Otago Sparks)
Eden Carson (Otago Sparks)
Lauren Down (ODI, Auckland Hearts)
Izzy Gaze (WK, Auckland Hearts)
Maddy Green (Auckland Hearts)
Mikaela Greig (Central Hinds)
Brooke Halliday (Auckland Hearts)
Fran Jonas (Auckland Hearts)
Leigh Kasperek (T20I, Wellington Blaze)
Jess Kerr (Wellington Blaze)
Melie Kerr (Wellington Blaze)
Molly Penfold (Auckland Hearts)
Georgia Plimmer (Wellington Blaze)
Hannah Rowe (Central Hinds)
Lea Tahuhu (T20I, Canterbury Magicians)
Lea Tahuhu will remain in New Zealand for the birth of her second child and join the squad for the T20I series starting July 6.
Sawyer will lead the coaching group in England alongside batting coach Dean Brownlie and tour coach Gareth Davies.
Davies is an experienced women’s coach who currently holds the positions of Head Coach for Loughborough Women, Head Coach for Worcestershire CCC Women, and an Assistant Coach for the Birmingham Phoenix Women’s club.
The WHITE FERNS depart to England on June 13.
WHITE FERNS tour to England schedule
Warm up match – Grace Road, Leicester - Friday 21 June – 10.00pm (NZT)
1st ODI – Riverside, Durham – Wednesday 26 June – 12.00am +1 day (NZT)
2nd ODI – New Road, Worcester – Sunday 30 June – 10.00pm (NZT)
3rd ODI – County Ground, Bristol – Wednesday 3 July - 12.00am +1 day (NZT)
1st T20I – The Rose Bowl, Southampton – Saturday 6 July – 1.30am +1 day (NZT)
2nd T20I – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove – Tuesday 9 July – 5.30am +1 day (NZT)
3rd T20I – The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury – Thursday 11 July - 5.30am +1 day (NZT)
4th T20I – The Oval, London – Saturday 13 July – 5.30am +1 day (NZT)
5th T20I – Lord’s, London – Wednesday 17 July – 5.00am +1 day (NZT)
Broadcast details to be confirmed.
