Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine's involvement in the WPL knockout stages has impacted their availability, with the WPL only concluding on March 17 and the first T20I scheduled for March 19
New Zealand will be without captain Sophie Devine and allrounder Amelia Kerr for the first of their five T20Is against England due to a scheduling clash with the Women's Premier League.
Devine, who represents Royal Challengers Bangalore, was involved in the final on Sunday, March 17. Kerr's Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, were eliminated on Friday, March 15, but 'travel complications' delayed her return to New Zealand.
Although both players will miss the series opener in Dunedin on Tuesday (March 19), they are expected to be available for the second T20I in Nelson on Friday (March 22).
Amelia Kerr has been representing Mumbai Indians in the WPL [Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images]
Georgia Plimmer has been added to New Zealand's squad [Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images]
Suzie Bates will captain the side in Devine's absence while Georgia Plimmer and Mikaela Greig have been added to the squad.
"It's obviously disappointing not to have Melie or Sophie with us for the series opener," said head coach, Ben Sawyer.
"We've known that this could be the case for some time now, so we've made plans for all scenarios and the positive is that it gives other players an opportunity to test themselves against a strong England side."
Plimmer, who only turned 20 in February, already has 12 ODI caps and 21 T20I caps to her name. Greig, meanwhile, would make her international debut if she features in the first T20I. The 28-year-old has made 79 T20 appearances across her career, scoring 727 runs and taking 23 wickets.
"Georgia has been a regular part of our group for some time now and she'll be involved in the ODIs - so we have full confidence she can come in and contribute in the opening T20," Sawyer added.
"“Mikaela has been impressive for the Central Hinds all summer and deserves an opportunity to join the group for the first time.
"She's shown this season that she possesses power and hitting ability which are important qualities in T20 cricket and we believe she has the ability to contribute if selected in the XI."
New Zealand squad for 1st T20I: Suzie Bates (c), Eden Carson, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Mikaela Greig, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu
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