Experience has played a big part in the selection of the White Sox team for the World Championships in Venezuela.

"We are under no illusion that it is going to be tough over there," coach Dean Rice said.

It is that desire for experience that helped Char Pouaka, Sheree Cartwright and Upu Lote earn recalls to the White Sox side after they had been off the international scene for a couple of seasons.

"When you look at their playing history then you could not go past them," Rice said.

"We are fortunate to have these experienced players back."

The return of Pouaka was especially a bonus for Rice, who rates the Canterbury representative highly. He added her to the team after the ALAC National Fastpitch Championships for the final round of the Gilley's Shield and the test series against Australia earlier this month.

"She is one of New Zealand's true international hitters and there is no doubt about that," Rice said.

"For a player to have been out of the game, return and be hitting 600 at one stage against that calibre of [Australian] pitchers is pretty impressive.

"She also offers us experience having been there before and done that."

Lote, who now lives in Brisbane, came into the team for the test series against Australia, after injury and the Queensland heat had plagued the White Sox.

"Upu had been in contact with us for a while and had expressed a real interest in making the team again," Rice said.

"We had a look at her while we were in Brisbane simply because we needed a player there just in case and as it turned out it was a wise move.

"She really looked the part and we could tell straight away that she could still play. We decided we really needed another experienced player.

Although Cartwright, who helped Hutt Valley successfully defend their ALAC National Fastpitch Championship title last month, had not figured in Rice's original plans, she did after her excellent performance in that competition.

"She played well at the nationals and I believe because of how hard it is going to be we will need four pitchers so that is where she comes in to it," Rice said.

Rice is also aware that the international experience players such as Hutt Valley's Cindy Potae and Kiri Shaw bring will also be crucial in Venezuela.
Shaw and Potae were also members of the White Sox team that competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Also a member of the team that competed in Sydney and in the side for the world championships is Zavana Aranga.

Also included in the team are Mel Gettins and Lara Andrews in the team who are currently on softball scholarships in the United States.

The team: Megan Farrell, Alison Boys, Brooke Lockhart (Wellington), Mitch Tangaroa, Courtney Maihi, Amanda Preston (Auckland), Sina Hunkin (North Harbour), Sheree Cartwright, Cindy Potae, Katrina Stockford, Zavana Aranga, Kiri Shaw (Hutt Valley), Char Pouaka (Canterbury), Tianna Areaiiti (Southland), Mel Gettins, Lara Andrews (United States), Upu Lote (Australia).