Photo Credit: Cricket Australia
The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) has announced the following 15-player squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes Series against England.
Darcie Brown (SA/Northern Districts CC)
Nicola Carey (TAS/North Hobart CC)
Hannah Darlington (NSW/Campbelltown-Camden CC)
Ashleigh Gardner (NSW/Bankstown CC)
Rachael Haynes (VC) (NSW/Sydney CC)
Alyssa Healy (NSW/Sydney CC)
Jess Jonassen (QLD/University of Queensland CC)
Alana King (WA/Midland Guildford CC)
Meg Lanning (C) (VIC/Box Hill CC)
Tahlia McGrath (SA/Glenelg CC)
Beth Mooney (QLD/Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)
Ellyse Perry (VIC/Dandenong CC)
Megan Schutt (SA/Sturt CC)
Annabel Sutherland (VIC/Prahan CC)
Tayla Vlaeminck (VIC/Plenty Valley CC)
Head Coach: Matthew Mott
Assistant Coaches: Shelley Nitschke, Ben Sawyer
The multi-format series will begin on 20 January with three T20 Internationals at Adelaide Oval, followed by the Test match at Manuka Oval in Canberra from January 27-30. Manuka Oval will also host the first One-Day International, a day-night clash on February 3, while the following two ODIs will be played at Melbourne’s Junction Oval on February 6 and 8.
Across the series, teams are awarded two points for each ODI and T20 INTL win, while a Test win is worth four points. If a match is drawn the points are shared. The team that accumulates the most points at the end of the series will be awarded the Ashes.
Speaking on the squad, National Selector, Shawn Flegler said:
“This was a tough selection process with so many players coming off strong WBBL tournaments, but we’re confident we’ve selected a balanced, all-round squad with players who can perform across all three formats.
“It’s great to have Rachael Haynes and Megan Schutt back in the side having missed the India series due to personal reasons as well as Jess who’s recovered from a lower-leg injury; the experience those three bring to the side is invaluable during a series like the Ashes.
“The loss of Georgia Wareham to injury has presented Alana King with a great opportunity to show what she can do at this level and having improved in all facets of her game over the last few seasons, she’s well placed to play an important role in the series.
“As expected, Sophie Molineux will miss this series due to the stress fracture in her right foot that she suffered at the back end of the WBBL, but we’ll continue to monitor her in the lead up to the World Cup with the aim that’s she’s available for that tournament.
“While Georgia Redmayne, Stella Campbell, Maitlan Brown and Molly Strano have missed out from the India series due to a decrease in squad size, we know they’ll be able to lead the way with the ‘A’ side and will be able to slot straight into the side if the opportunity arises.”
The NSP has also announced the following 15-player Australia ‘A’ squad to face England ‘A’ across three T20s and three 50-over fixtures which will run concurrently with the Ashes.
Maitlan Brown (NSW/Sydney CC)
Erin Burns (NSW/Bankstown CC)
Stella Campbell (NSW/Northern District CC)
Nicole Faltum (VIC/Dandenong CC)
Tess Flintoff (VIC/Ringwood CC)
Heather Graham (TAS/Clarence CC)
Grace Harris (QLD/Western Suburbs CC)
Phoebe Litchfield (NSW/Penrith CC)
Katie Mack (ACT/Tuggeranong Valley CC)
Georgia Redmayne (C) (QLD/Gold Coast CC)
Courtney Sippel (QLD/Gold Coast CC)
Molly Strano (TAS/North Hobart CC/Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies CC)
Elyse Villani (TAS/North Hobart CC)
Georgia Voll (QLD/Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)
Amanda-Jade Wellington (SA/West Torrens CC)
Coach: Jude Coleman
Assistant Coach: Dan Marsh
Speaking on the Australia ‘A’ squad, Flegler said:
“The ‘A’ side was selected with an eye on the future as well as ensuring we have a number of players who can come straight into the Australian side and a play a role if required.
“It’s great to see the likes of Elyse Villani and Grace Harris return to Australian colours as well as Heather Graham, Erin Burns and Amanda-Jade Wellington, while Katie Mack had a really strong WBBL and has been in good form for a while now.
“The younger players will also benefit from the large number of highly experience players in the side, with over half the squad having tasted international cricket.
“Phoebe, Tess, Courtney, Nicole and Georgia are all really talented youngsters and it’s important to expose them to these sorts of opportunities against high quality opponents.”
Tickets to the Test are currently available via Ticketek, with fans able to purchase tickets to the T20Is and ODIs from 1pm AEDT today (11am AEDT for members of the Australian Cricket Family). For more information visit cricket.com.au/tickets.
Fans unable to attend matches can tune in live via the Seven Network, Foxtel, Kayo, ABC Radio and the CA Live App.
The tour is once again proudly presented by Commonwealth Bank, continuing their longstanding support of the women’s game, at all levels in Australia.
Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes Schedule
January 20: 1st T20I, 6:40pm, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
January 22: 2nd T20I, 1:40pm, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
January 23: 3rd T20I, 1:40pm, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
January 27 – January 30: Test Match, 10am, Manuka Oval, Canberra
February 3: 1st ODI, 2:10pm, Manuka Oval, Canberra
February 6: 2nd ODI, 10:05am, Junction Oval, Melbourne
February 8: 3rd ODI, 10:05am, Junction Oval, Melbourne
Australia A v England A
January 20: 1st T20, 10:30am, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide
January 21: 2nd T20, 2:30pm, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide
January 23: 3rd T20, 9:30am, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide
January 28: 1st 50-over match, 10am, Phillip Oval, Canberra
January 30: 2nd 50-over match, 10am, Phillip Oval, Canberra
February 2: 3rd 50-over match, 10am, Phillip Oval, Canberra
