International cricketer Sophie Devine leads a list four players promoted to the national women's hockey squad beginning with a three-test series against world champions Argentina.
The series begins at Whangarei on Saturday with the next two tests at North Harbour on Monday and Tuesday.
Devine, who made her international hockey debut for the Black Sticks in 2009 at age 19, earned three caps before cricket took over.
She played in the five tests against Japan earlier this month which the Black Sticks won 3-1.
The others promoted are Northland's Alana Millington (12 caps), Auckland's Jan Burrows (12 caps) and North Harbour's Petrea Webster (4 caps).
North Harbour's Amanda Green (2 caps) comes up from the development squad due to players being away in Europe and injuries in the current squad.
Krystal Forgesson, Lucy Talbot, Gemma Flynn and Anita Punt are currently playing in the European League while Kate Mahon is recovering from a shoulder injury.
Coach Mark Hager said he had named the strongest Black Sticks team available and was looking forward to the players pairing up against some of the world's best.
"We always try and win series, obviously this one will be a difficult challenge, but it will be great to benchmark ourselves against the number one team in the world and see exactly where we are placed."
With the Black Sticks winning home test series against Korea (5-0) and Japan over the last two months, Hager took the opportunity to rotate players and named the five development players to play Argentina.
"We have been provided with opportunities to assist our playing depth to see which players proved to have real potential and what combinations worked."
After Argentina, the Black Sticks will be heading to Europe where they will play various European countries before competing at the Champions Trophy in Amsterdam at the end of June.
Black Sticks women's squad, Argentina series: Kayla Sharland, Emily Naylor, Jan Burrows, Katie Glynn, Petrea Webster, Sally Rutherford, Alana Millington, Ella Gunson, Amanda Green, Clarissa Eshuis, Sam Harrison, Cathryn Finlayson, Anna Thorpe, Laura Douglas, Sophie Devine, Charlotte Harrison, Bianca Russell, Stacey Michelsen.