Jess McFadyen set to debut as New Zealand announce Women's squad for Bangladesh series

Sophie Devine will lead the team [Source: Twitter]

In a significant development, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a 15-member women's squad for three T20Is and ODIs against Bangladesh. Sophie Devine will lead the team, which is a mix of youth and experience. 

Keeper-batter Jess McFadyen is the only new face in an otherwise unchanged squad that won both the ODI and T20I series on the recent tour to the West Indies, replacing fellow wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze. McFadyen, 31, is the only wicketkeeper in the squad and is set to make her much-awaited debut. 

White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer heaped praises on McFadyen for her incredible keeping and batting skills, explaining how the team will utilise this series for their World Cup preparation. 

Here's what Sawyer said

"Jess brings great energy - when we worked together at the Commonwealth Games I was really impressed with what she brought to the team environment - and she has good experience with the bat, especially in that middle order,

"The objective is always to go out and win games of cricket but we also want to make sure we prepare thoroughly for the World Cup next year."

New Zealand Women's squad for Bangladesh series

Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Jess McFadyen, Molly Penfold (ODIs only), Georgia Plimmer (T20s only), Hannah Rowe (ODIs only), Lea Tahuhu (T20s only)

Bangladesh Women's New Zealand tour starts on December 2 with the first T20I of the three-match series in Christchurch. 

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