Canterbury all-rounder Frankie MacKay is back in the White Ferns for the first time in two years, after being selected for the upcoming series against one-day world champions England.
MacKay suffered an Achilles injury against India in 2019 and despite stellar form in domestic cricket, she has since been overlooked for higher honours. Instead, she has carved a growing reputation as one of the game's top TV commentators.
Coach Bob Carter says MacKay's results with both bat and ball during the women's Super Smash this season demanded her inclusion in the 13-strong squad.
MacKay leads all wicket-takers in the competition with 19, with a best of 4/10 and an economy rate of 4.88.
"Frankie has once again proven her all-round skills in the domestic game and gets another chance at the international level," says Carter. "She is a vastly experienced cricketer and will be an asset with both bat and ball."
Carter and his selectors have also invested in the excitement of youth, offering a potential debut to Auckland Hearts teenager Fran Jones.
Northern District's strokemaker Brooke Halliday has also been rewarded for her fine form, earning a first national call-up.
Halliday is the second-highest run-scorer on the domestic one-day competition and is also a handy bowler.
"Brooke and Fran both deserve their call-ups on the back of strong domestic form," says Carter. "Brooke’s done a superb job at the top of the order for the Spirit and offers a point of difference as a left-hander.
"Fran’s an exceptional talent, who’s proven she can foot it with our top players. It’s exciting to add a left-arm spinner to our squad and the balance that offers our bowling attack.
"This is a great chance for them to come in and develop their games. We’ve selected them for a reason and look forward to welcoming them into the group,” he says.
With a one-day World Cup to be staged at home next year, Carter says this is the first stage in building as "strong a squad as possible" for the tournament.
The first ODI against England is scheduled for February 23 at Christchurch's Hagley Oval.
White Ferns ODI squad for England series
Sophie Devine (Wellington), Natalie Dodd (Central Districts), Maddy Green (Wellington), Brooke Halliday (Northern Districts), Hayley Jensen (Otago), Fran Jonas (Auckland), Amelia Kerr (Wellington), Jess Kerr (Wellington), Frankie Mackay (Canterbury), Katey Martin (Otago), Hannah Rowe (Central Districts), Amy Satterthwaite (Canterbury), Lea Tahuhu (Canterbury)
