Strong Academy flavour to New Zealand A women's team

The New Zealand A team to play an international four match programme before the Women's World Series will feature a strong line up from the New Zealand Cricket Academy programme.

Among those selected are former New Zealand captain Maia Lewis; Sara McGlashan, who toured with the TelstraClear White Ferns during the winter and was in the 2002 New Zealand Cricket Academy; as well as Katey Martin who has been selected for the Academy this year; Maria Fahey, who was in the 2002 Academy; Sarah Burke, who was in the 2001 Academy; and State Auckland Hearts captain Michelle Lynch.

The team is be coached by former Northern Districts spin bowler Cliff Dickeson and managed by the New Zealand Cricket women's convener of selectors Lesley Murdoch.

The New Zealand A women's team is:

Maia Lewis (captain, State Wellington Blaze)
Sarah Burke (State Canterbury Magicians)
Maria Fahey (State Canterbury Magicians)
Amanda Green (State Wellington Blaze)
Maree Hannay (State Northern Spirit)
Megan Kane (State Otago Sparks)
Aimee Lennsen (State Northern Spirit)
Michelle Lynch (State Auckland Hearts)
Sara McGlashan (State Central Hinds)
Beth McNeill (State Canterbury Magicians)
Katey Martin (State Otago Sparks)
Rowan Milburn (State Canterbury Magicians)
Debbie Ramsay (State Auckland Hearts)
Rebecca Steele (State Canterbury Magicians)

"Members of New Zealand A will have an excellent opportunity to play their way into the TelstraClear White Ferns team to play in the Women's World Series beginning on January 26," Murdoch said.

The TelstraClear White Ferns team will be announced on January 25. The team was to be announced earlier but the selectors have decided to watch the performance of players in the New Zealand A programme before naming the team.

"The New Zealand A programme is an excellent opportunity for players outside the TelstraClear White Ferns to compete in international cricket. We hope that many of these players will one day play for the TelstraClear White Ferns," she said.

The team will play four matches at Lincoln Green. The programme is:

New Zealand A v New Zealand (January 21)
New Zealand A v India (January 22)
New Zealand A v Australia (January 24)
New Zealand A v England (January 25)