Australia has announced its 15-player squad for the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and the Women’s T20 World Cup.
For the first time in nearly six years, Australia has named a full-strength squad for an ICC tournament, with Tayla Vlaeminck, Sophie Molineux and Darcie Brown each featuring in the touring party.
Rising star Phoebe Litchfield has been picked for his maiden ICC tournament, while spinner Jess Jonassen missed selection despite a stellar Women’s Premier League campaign in India earlier this year.
Alyssa Healy’s side will face the White Ferns in three T20 matches in Queensland before travelling to the United Arab Emirates to defend the trophy they won in South Africa last year.
Reigning champions Australia have the won the previous three editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup, in 2018, 2020 and 2023, each while led by Meg Lanning.
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“This is the first time in a long time we’ve had our entire contract list available for selection ahead of a World Cup and it’s resulted in a really stable and balanced squad,” Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said in a statement.
“It’s the first time Alyssa Healy will have the reins at a World Cup and we’ve already seen what her and Tahlia McGrath bring from a leadership perspective, so it’s exciting for them to have this opportunity to lead their country on the biggest stage.
“Phoebe Litchfield is a real x-factor for us and will be well supported by an experienced group at her first World Cup.
“The pace duo of Tayla Vlaeminck and Darcie Brown is one we’ve been wanting to unleash for a while and is a real point of difference for us.
“Jess Jonassen is again unlucky to miss out, but we’ve been impressed with the way she’s bounced back, and we’ll continue to monitor her form ahead of the home summer.”
Last week, the T20 tournament was moved from Bangladesh to the United Arab Emirates due to political unrest.
Australia’s white-ball series against New Zealand gets underway on September 19, while the T20 World Cup starts on October 3.
FULL SQUAD LIST
Alyssa Healy
Darcie Brown
Ashleigh Gardner
Kim Garth
Grace Harris
Alana King
Phoebe Litchfield
Tahlia McGrath
Sophie Molineux
Beth Mooney
Ellyse Perry
Megan Schutt
Annabel Sutherland
Georgia Wareham
Tayla Vlaeminck