Christchurch, March 24 – Kayley Knight has been included in the 13-strong squad to face South Africa in the ODI series, which begins on Sunday.
Amelia Kerr will lead a similar squad, with the exception of Suzie Bates, Flora Devonshire, and Georgia Plimmer, who have returned from injury and will replace Emma McLeod, Polly Inglis, and Bella James. Knight replaces Molly Penfold.
Knight made her T20 international debut last month against Zimbabwe, taking 2-25 in her debut match, just a week after she had taken 2-20 for Northern Brave in the domestic one-day final.
The 22-year-old helped the Brave win their first Hallyburton Johnstone (HBJ) Shield title and finished as the team's second-highest wicket-taker in the competition.
Knight made her T20 debut during the recently concluded home series against Zimbabwe, taking two wickets in two matches. She is not part of New Zealand's squad for the ongoing T20 series against the Proteas women, but has been called up for the ODI leg.
Head coach Ben Sawyer said he was excited to include Knight in the squad. "It's great to have Kayley in for her first ODI series. Kayley has good pace and control, and a short ball that regularly challenges batters.
"She was an integral part of the Brave's title-winning HBJ campaign and has shown she has the tools to succeed in the international game," Sawyer was quoted as saying in a NZC release.
Captain Melie will lead the team into the series after a dominant performance against Zimbabwe, where she claimed 16 wickets across three matches, including two five-wicket hauls and the White Ferns' best ODI figures (7-34).
The series marks the White Ferns' final home matches for the 2025-26 season, with the first game kicking off at Hagley Oval on March 29, followed by the final two outings at Cello Basin Reserve on April 1 and 4.
Sawyer said the team was keen to finish the season on a high.
"Coming off a T20 series win, I know the team is eager to back it up in the ODIs. It's been a busy end to the summer for the White Ferns, and we're looking forward to wrapping up the season with another competitive series."
New Zealand squad: Amelia Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Jess Kerr, Kayley Knight, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp.