The experienced Suzie Bates will lead the side in the absence of full-time ODI captain Sophie Devine, who is on a well-being break and her T20I successor is yet to be named. Amelia Kerr will also miss the series as she is in India representing Mumbai Indians at the WPL.

The uncapped trio has come through the New Zealand Under-19 squads, with McLeod, 18, having just played her second Under-19 T20 World Cup, and Sharp, 20, the captain from the first tournament that was played two years ago. McLeod was picked after she tallied 300 runs for Central Districts in the ongoing domestic one-day competition, where she averages nearly 43 with two half-centuries.

"Emma, Bree and Izzy have been identified by Major Association and NZC coaches as players who have the desired competencies and skillsets to be effective in international cricket," head coach Ben Sawyer said. "Emma's been in good form in the HBJ Shield and her ability to hit through the off-side and run well between the wickets is really valuable.

"Izzy impressed us with how she attacks spin, which is something that will come in handy this series.

"The way Bree attacks the stumps and swings the ball back into the right-hander is really important in the international game."

Sawyer further said the games will be good to gain experience against spin keeping in mind the ODI World Cup in India in October this year.

"Sri Lanka's a tough opposition with a number of world-class spinners," he said.

"We will try different combinations this series, and I'm looking forward to seeing players adapt to different roles. It's an opportunity to test batters in different positions, and try different bowlers opening up and at the death."

The ODI squad will get together on March 2 in Napier following the HBJ Shield final on Saturday. The ODI series begins on March 4 in Napier before moving to Nelson for two more games on March 7 and 9. The T20Is will be played on March 14 and 16 in Christchurch and on March 18 in Dunedin.

New Zealand Women ODI and T20I squads for Sri Lanka

Suzie Bates (capt), Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing (ODIs only), Polly Inglis (ODIs only), Bella James, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair (T20Is only), Emma McLeod, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe (ODIs only), Izzy Sharp (T20Is only)