Offspinner Eden Carson has returned from a lengthy injury layoff for New Zealand's three-match T20I series against Australia starting October 18. In addition, wicketkeeper-batsman Bella James and fast bowlers Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold have been recalled by New Zealand. Wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze was unavailable for selection after undergoing surgery on a thumb injury and is working towards returning to play in early 2027, a New Zealand Cricket release said. In Gaze's absence, Polly Inglis will assume the gloves. The team, which includes 11 players from the June T20 World Cup squad, will be led by Melie Kerr. Carson is back in the side following elbow surgery that kept her sidelined since last December. "It's really special to be back in the White Ferns environment," Carson said. "The rehab process has required a great deal of patience, but I've been fortunate to have great support around me, and I feel ready to return to the world and contribute," Rowe, who has 24 wickets from 47 T20Is, last played a T20I in September 2024. Since making her debut in 2022, Penfold has participated in 11 T20Is, the most recent of which was a March match against Zimbabwe. James meanwhile has played only one T20I for New Zealand, in March 2025. Rowe and James were part of the New Zealand A side which toured Sri Lanka in May. According to the release, Penfold and Rowe have been added after Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu retired, and James will strengthen the batting after Suzie Bates retired. The series will be New Zealand's first international assignment of the 2026-27 season and will form a part of the team's preparations for the inaugural 2027 Women's Champion Trophy in India. Dean Brownlie, who has been New Zealand's batting coach for close to four years, will step in as interim head coach for the tour following Ben Sawyer's exit. "There's a balance of experience and future-focus in this squad and it's going to be a chance for the group to test themselves against a quality side," Brownlie said. "Competing against the best in the world is always going to be a challenge, but it also provides a lot of opportunities to learn and strengthen skillsets within that." The squad is set to depart for Australia on October 12 and will play a warm-up fixture against a Governor General's XI on October 15. The North Sydney Oval will host all three T20Is against Australia. New Zealand's T20I squad vs Australia Melie Kerr (c), Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp