Two new additions in the new look White Ferns squad for Commonwealth Games

Offspiner Eden Carson and wicketkeeper batsman Izzy Gaze have earned their maiden call up to the 15 member squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. 

Fran Jones and Georgia Plimmer who received their first national contract earlier this year are also a part of the squad. 

The squad is filled with new faces after the recent retirement of Amy Satterthwaite. Senior pros Leigh Kasperek, Frankie Mckar and Lea Tahuhu who all lost their national contracts recently, also haven’t been included in the squad led by Sophie Devine. 

This will be the first time Women’s cricket will be featured in the Commonwealth Games. 

"We can't wait to get on the plane. To be the first women's cricket team to represent the country at a global event like the Commonwealth Games is truly an honour. It's been great to get the group back together this week at Bay Oval and our new squad members are finding their feet and fitting in well," said Devine.

"Being part of a wider New Zealand team makes you even more proud to wear the Silver Fern. You feel like you're part of something big. To be in the same team as New Zealand's top athletes from all the different sports is something really special," sad Suzie Bates, who has represented New Zealand in basketball in the Olympics.

"There's the opening ceremony, the flag bearer selection, and the communal dining halls - these all combine to make the Games experience something really memorable and I'm encouraging everyone to soak it all up when we get over there," said Bates.

New Zealand squad: Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Jess McFadyen, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe