Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia (CA) has today named the Australian squad for the inaugural ICC Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
The Youth Selection Panel selected a 15-player squad following the conclusion of the 2022-23 Under 19 Female National Championships in Perth yesterday.
Australia’s squad, which contains eight players with domestic experience, will be led by head coach Sarah Aley and her assistants, Erin Osborne and Dulip Samaraweera.
Australia will play group matches against Bangladesh, the USA and Sri Lanka at the World Cup which gets underway on January 14.
NSW Metro claimed the U19 National Championships title, defeating Victoria Country by six wickets in the Final at the WACA Ground yesterday.
The win capped a stellar week for NSW Metro skipper Claire Moore, who was named Player of the Tournament. Moore scored 371 runs at an average of 92.75 across the National Championships, including an unbeaten 62 in the Final to lead her side to victory.
Australia Under 19 World Cup Squad
Chloe Ainsworth (Western Australia/Melville Cricket Club)
Jade Allen (NSW Country/Universities Women’s Cricket Club)
Charis Bekker (Western Australia/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Paris Bowdler (Victoria Country/Prahran Cricket Club)
Maggie Clark (South Australia/West Torrens Cricket Club)
Sianna Ginger (Queensland/Valley District Cricket Club)
Lucy Hamilton (Queensland/Sunshine Coast Cricket Club)
Ella Hayward (Victoria Metro/Melbourne Cricket Club)
Milly Illingworth (Victoria Country/Essendon Maribyrnong Park Cricket Club)
Eleanor Larosa (South Australia/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Rhys McKenna (Victoria Country/Prahran Cricket Club)
Claire Moore (NSW Metro/Paramatta Cricket Club)
Kate Pelle (NSW Metro/Penrith Cricket Club)
Amy Smith (Tasmania/New Town Cricket Club)
Ella Wilson (South Australia/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Non-travelling reserve players
Paris Hall (South Australia/West Torrens Cricket Club)
Samira Dimeglio (NSW Metro/Sydney Cricket Club)
Sara Kennedy (Victoria Country/Carlton Cricket Club)
Olivia Henry (Victoria Metro/Ringwood Cricket Club)
Ananaya Sharma (NSW Metro/Sydney Cricket Club)
Shawn Flegler, Cricket Australia’s Head of Women’s Performance, said:
“It has been exciting to see the talent on display at this year’s Under 19 Female National Championships.
“The Under 19 World Cup provides players with an exceptional development opportunity, and we look forward to watching our team on the world stage.
“Our squad has several players who have experienced professional cricket environments, but final selection for the World Cup was based on overall performances across a variety of competitions.
“Inevitably, there were difficult selection decisions, but we will continue to support and monitor the development of all players in our pathway systems.”
Australia’s 2023 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Group Matches
Jan 14: Australia v Bangladesh, Willowmoore Park | Benoni
Jan 17: Australia v USA, Willowmoore Park | Benoni
Jan 19: Australia v Sri Lanka, Willowmoore Park | Benoni
A full list of World Cup fixtures can be found here.
2022-23 Under 19 Female National Championships Award Winners
Champions: NSW Metro
Player of the Final: Zoya Thakur (NSW Metro)
Player of the Tournament: Claire Moore (NSW Metro)
Highest Run Scorer: Ella Hayward (Victoria Metro), 385 runs @ 77
Leading Wicket Taker: Ananaya Sharma (NSW Metro) 16 wickets @ 7.81
Spirit of Cricket: Victoria Country
