Eden Carson celebrates taking a wicket for New Zealand against Sri Lanka in a T20 international P. Saravanamuttu International cricket Stadium in Colombo in July 2023. Photo: Isuru Sameera Peiris/ / www.photosport.nz
The Otago Sparks player joins Jess McFadyen and Sam Barriball as the three players with White Ferns experience in the squad - the first senior New Zealand Māori cricket team to compete since an Aotearoa Māori men's team was took part in the Pacifica Cup back in 2001.
The tournament includes five East Asia Pacific Nations: Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu, as well as Aotearoa Māori, with pool play games hosted at Auckland's Lloyd Elsmore Park, with a final on Sunday week.
The 22-player squad includes 11 players with domestic contracts as well as Carson, and will be coached by former White Ferns cptain Maia Lewis (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Māniapoto).
Lewis said she was looking forward to working with the first ever Aotearoa Māori women's squad, which she described as an exciting mix of youth and experience.
Maia Lewis. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
"There's a lot of natural talent and flair in the side, a lot of potential, and most encouragingly, a lot more depth to pick this side from.
"When I coached the first Aotearoa Māori Secondary Schoolgirls team a few years ago, it was more a matter of taking what we could get - but since then things have massively improved and the depth has increased markedly."
Lewis said the Pacific Cup is as much of a cultural event as a cricket event, with the Māori side performing a haka before each game.
"It's about learning more about our culture through cricket.
"Some of the players in our squad speak Māori fluently, others have never even been on a Marae before - but I can say that everyone is very open to learning."
Central Hinds batter Kerry Tomlinson, who has played four games for the Netherlands, will captain the side, with McFadyen and Hearts pace bowler Skye Bowden named as joint vice-captains.
Aotearoa Māori Squad
Kerry Tomlinson (C) - Te Whānau-ā-Apanui / Ngāti Porou
Skye Bowden (VC) - Ngā Puhi / Ngāti Hine
Jess McFadyen (VC) - Ngāi Tahu
Dayle Anderson - Tainui
Georgia Atkinson - Ngāti Kahungunu
Nicole Baird - Ngāti Ruanui
Sam Barriball - Ngāti Rangitihi / Tūhoe
Ocean Bartlett - Ngā Puhi / Ngāti Porou
Jessica Benge - Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi
Eden Carson - Ngāti Porou
Olivia Clark - Ngāi Tahu
Claire Crooks - Ngā Puhi / Ngāti Hine
Marama Downes - Ngāti Tūwharetoa / Ngāti Awa / Te Arawa
Mollie Drumm - Ngāti Porou
Mereana Hyde - Ngā Puhi / Tainui
Caitlin King - Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Macy Lyford - Ngāti Kahungunu
Sam Mackinder - Te Whānau-ā-Apanui / Ngāti Porou
Emma Parker - Ngā Puhi
Jess Smith - Ngā Puhi / Tainui
Anika Todd - Ngāti Whātua
Holly Topp - Ngāi Tahu
