Bates, Devine return as New Zealand name T20I squad for South Africa series

Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu have returned to New Zealand squad for the five-match home T20I series against South Africa.

Bates returns after completing rehabilitation after a quad tear. Meanwhile, Devine will take the field for the first time since her ODI retirement following the conclusion of the World Cup in India last year. Head coach Ben Sawyer stated that the return of the two veterans significantly bolsters the team, as New Zealand prepare to defend their title at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England in June-July.

"We're really excited to welcome back Suzie and Sophie for this next block of games," head coach Ben Sawyer said in an NZC release. "Their quality on the field really does speak for itself, but what they bring to the group culturally is really important for us as a team. I'm looking forward to having them mix in with some of the newer members of the squad."

Also returning to the squad is Flora Devonshire, the 23-year-old allrounder who was on the sidelines with a fractured finger, and Georgia Plimmer, who picked a shoulder injury while playing the T20I series against Zimbabwe to miss the subsequent ODIs.

"It was unfortunate to have Georgia miss out on most of the Zimbabwe series with her shoulder, so the whole group is glad to have her back," Sawyer said. "Her role at the top of the order is a key one and it'll be great to have her back as we continue to build toward that World Cup later in the year," he added.

Tahuhu, who was not considered for selection against Zimbabwe for "physical preparation planning" for the Women's T20 World Cup, will be available only for the last three T20Is. Like Tahuhu, left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Devonshire will be available for only the last three T20Is as the 15-player squad has Bree Illing and Polly Inglis named for the first two T20Is.

"Flora had a couple of back-to-back injuries that has kept her out of the squad for the last little while which is never nice as a player," Sawyer said. "It's really pleasing to be able to have her back in the group, fit and firing for when we need her."

The five T20Is will be played as double-headers with the respective men's teams playing the night games, starting March 15 at Bay Oval in Tauranga.

New Zealand T20I squad vs South Africa

Amelia Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire (last three T20Is only), Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing (first two T20Is only), Polly Inglis (first two T20Is only), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu (last three T20Is only)