Polly Inglis earns maiden call-up, Lauren Down returns as New Zealand announce squad for India ODIs

Wicketkeeper Polly Inglis has received a maiden call-up to New Zealand's squad for the three-match ODI series against India, beginning on Thursday, October 24. The 28-year-old plies her trade for Otago Sparks in the Women's Super Smash and earned her first New Zealand Cricket (NZC) central contract earlier this year. All three games will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Batter Lauren Down has also been named in the 15-women squad after she made her return from maternity leave in July. These two are the only tweaks to the squad that helped New Zealand win their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup title on Sunday, October 20.

Meanwhile, speedster Rosemary Mair, who was a part of the triumphant squad, has been rested, keeping in mind her workload management following her return from a serious back injury, while offspinner Leigh Kasperek failed to hold onto her spot.

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The White Ferns will once again be led by the talismanic Sophie Devine, who announced her decision to relinquish captaincy of the T20 side after the World Cup win. Experienced players like Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu are a part of the side.

Touring India is one of the great experiences in world cricket: Ben Sawyer

Inglis' consistent performances in the domestic circuit initially helped her earn a contract and then a place in the national team. She amassed 324 runs - the second-most in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2023-24, the 50-over competition, averaging 54 and having a strike rate of around 80, predominantly batting the middle order. She also scored 103 in the three-match one-day series between New Zealand A and England A and orchestrated a 2-1 win for the White Ferns.

"We're really excited to introduce Polly for her first tour. She put her hand up in last season's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and throughout the New Zealand A series against England, so it's a great next step for her," head coach Ben Sawyer said in an NZC statement.

"Touring India is one of the great experiences in world cricket. It's such a special place to come and I know everyone is looking forward to the challenge ahead," he added.

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The three ODIs are part of the Women's Championship. New Zealand are currently stationed at No. 6 on the points table with a three-match series against trans-Tasman rivals Australia on the horizon. The top five teams along with hosts India will qualify directly for the Women's ODI World Cup in 2025.

New Zealand squad for ODIs against India: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze (wk), Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis (wk), Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.