Wellington, 24 March (H.S.):
New Zealand women's team has handed pace bowler Kayley Knight her first ODI cap for the upcoming series against South Africa selector Haidee Tiffen confirmed Tuesday.
The 22-year-old from Northern Brave impressed after her T20I debut against Zimbabwe earlier this year where she snared two wickets across two games. She also featured in the 2023 Under-19 T20 World Cup squad.
Knight's selection stems from stellar domestic showings including 10 wickets in the 2025/26 Super Smash for Northern Brave placing her joint-second among leading bowlers. In the 50-over HBJ Shield she grabbed 17 scalps helping her side clinch their maiden title.
Head coach Ben Sawyer praised her pace control and testing short ball noting her potential to thrive internationally after domestic dominance.
Suzie Bates Flora Devonshire and Georgia Plimmer return from injury while Emma MacLeod Polly Inglis and Bella James make way. Knight replaces Molly Penfold in the 13-player group. New Zealand leads the preceding T20I series 3-1 with the finale set for March 25 before ODIs begin March 29.
New Zealand ODI squad: Melie Kerr (captain) Suzie Bates Flora Devonshire Izzy Gaze Maddy Green Brooke Holiday Bree Illing Jess Kerr Kayley Knight Rosemary Mair Nensi Patel Georgia Plimmer Izzy Sharp.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
