Seventeen-year-old Fran Jonas has been selected as part of the spin attack

“I really felt for Leigh, she’s a very fine bowler,” head coach Bob Carter said. “It was based around the balance of our team. We didn’t have any of the three spinners that have been selected for the World Cup in the UK, and it came down to a choice – would we take an extra spinner or would we take an extra batter, and that created a lot of debate.

“I really feel for her because she’s been a great member of the White Ferns, and it’s at times like that, as a selector or coach, that I wish I could have had another place.”

The rest of the squad has a familiar look with Amelia Kerr and Frankie Mackay completing the spin department. The experienced Lea Tahuhu will lead the pace attack alongside Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair and Jess Kerr.

Maddy Green, Lauren Down and Brooke Halliday take the specialist batting spots while Hayley Jensen fills the seam-bowling allrounder role.

“We feel we have a balanced squad providing multiple options with bat and ball to cover the range of conditions we’re likely to face around the country,” Carter said.

“There’s a strong mix of youth and experience in this squad with several players having multiple World Cups under their belt. We also have a younger group coming through, six of which are yet to experience World Cup cricket – and it’s naturally a very exciting time for those players.”

Talking about Jonas’ inclusion, captain Devine feels that she is going to be a “threat to other teams.” She revealed that the teenager was picked not only for her left-arm spin but also because she can be used as a floater in the XI.

“It’s an exciting thing about New Zealand Cricket,” Devine said. “There is some real depth coming through. Frans does deserve an opportunity. She was outstanding through the winter camps that we had among the White Ferns and she has really grown as a player. She is only 17.

“Jonas’ ability to bat anywhere from one to eleven – that’s a really key thing. That’s one thing we want in our group – for players to follow the role and do the job, whatever it looks like, whatever it takes, they want to do it.”

Devine also said that having a variety in the spin department strengthens the squad and Jonas being a left-arm orthodox would have helped cement her place. New Zealand have a leg spinner in Kerr and Mackay as an offspin option apart from Jonas.

“We are aware of how other teams have been successful in having a variety of spinners,” Devine said. “We have an offspinner, leg spinner and a left-arm orthodox. It provides me with some real options and flexibility. All play a different role, and we are obviously playing all around the country. So conditions are going to vary. To mix and match, to play three or play two or one or none really strengthens the squad.”

The same 15-player squad will play the five-match ODI series against India in Queenstown.

Squad Sophie Devine (capt), Amy Satterthwaite, Suzie Bates, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Frankie Mackay, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu.