The Silver Ferns have welcomed back a healthy dose of experience in the return of defenders Jane Watson and Karin Burger as well as midcourter Gina Crampton for next month's Quad Series in South Africa.
Boasting a combined 165 test caps between them, Watson is back from maternity leave, while Burger has overcome the foot injury that forced her out of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games squad.
Crampton was granted a sabbatical after returning from the UK, missing the September series against Jamaica and Australia.
The Ferns head to Cape Town to take on Australia, England, and host side South Africa from January 22 to 26, in a valuable dress rehearsal for July’s Netball World Cup at the same venue.
Wing attack Peta Toeava has also secured her spot in the side after making an impact during October’s Constellation Cup while the shooting circle remains unchanged, led by captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio.
Coach Dame Noeline Taurua said she was delighted to welcome back the experienced heads, with Watson, Burger, and Crampton - all Netball World Cup winners in 2019 - and was excited to see what they would bring to the fold after some time away from the court.
"The Quad Series is a stage of our planning as we build-up to the 2023 Netball World Cup. We cannot underestimate the amount of netball nous and leadership that returns to the court with these players," Taurua said.
"It is a significant year ahead with the World Cup in South Africa, so that big-game experience becomes crucial, and I can see the work they have done behind the scenes has supported their desire to be back in the Silver Ferns environment.
"They haven’t relied on the past, they earned their selection."
Silver Ferns squad for Quad Series: Karin Burger, Gina Crampton, Ameliaranne Ekenasio (captain), Sulu Fitzpatrick, Kate Heffernan, Kelly Jury, Phoenix Karaka, Claire Kersten, Grace Nweke, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Whitney Souness, Peta Toeava, Jane Watson, Maia Wilson
