Carson back in NZ squad for Australia T20Is; James, Rowe, Penfold recalled
Eden Carson's elbow injury kept her sidelined since last December • Associated Press
Offspinner Eden Carson has returned from a lengthy injury layoff for New Zealand's three-match T20I series against Australia starting October 18. New Zealand have also recalled wicketkeeper-batter Bella James and fast bowlers Molly Penfold and Hannah Rowe.
Wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze was unavailable for selection after undergoing surgery on a thumb injury and is working towards returning to play in early 2027, a New Zealand Cricket release said. Polly Inglis will take the gloves in Gaze's absence. Melie Kerr will lead the side, which features 11 players from the T20 World Cup squad that took place in June.
Carson is back in the side following elbow surgery that kept her sidelined since last December. "To be back in the White Ferns environment is really special," Carson said. "The rehab process has taken a lot of patience, but I've been fortunate to have great support around me and I'm feeling ready to get back out there and contribute."
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Rowe, who has 24 wickets from 47 T20Is, last played a T20I in September 2024. Penfold has played 11 T20Is since her debut in 2022, and last played in the series against Zimbabwe in March. James meanwhile has played only one T20I for New Zealand, in March 2025. Rowe and James were part of the New Zealand A side which toured Sri Lanka in May.
Penfold and Rowe have been included following the retirements of Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu, while James will strengthen the batting after Suzie Bates' retirement, the release said.
The series will be New Zealand's first international assignment of the 2026-27 season and will form a part of the team's preparations for the inaugural 2027 Women's Champion Trophy in India.
Dean Brownlie, who has been New Zealand's batting coach for close to four years, will step in as interim head coach for the tour following Ben Sawyer's exit.
"There's a balance of experience and future-focus in this squad and it's going to be a chance for the group to test themselves against a quality side," Brownlie said. "Competing against the best in the world is always going to be a challenge, but it also provides a lot of opportunities to learn and strengthen skillsets within that."
The squad is set to depart for Australia on October 12 and will play a warm-up fixture against a Governor General's XI on October 15. All three T20Is against Australia will be played at the North Sydney Oval.
New Zealand's T20I squad vs Australia
Melie Kerr (capt), Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp
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