The Cricket Australia Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today named Australia A 50-over and Twenty20 squads to face India A in Queensland from December 12 to 23.
The tour, which is key step in Cricket Australia’s expanded female pathway program, is part of a four-year agreement with India that has already seen Australia’s A Team tour the sub-continent late last year. It will also be the first time Australia has hosted an international women’s ‘A’ team.
The two countries will play three 50-over matches in Brisbane followed by three matches on the Gold Coast.
Australia A ODI Squad
Maitlan Brown, ACT
Heather Graham, WA
Phoebe Litchfield, NSW
Tahlia McGrath (c), SA
Bridget Patterson, SA
Georgia Redmayne, QLD
Sammy Jo Johnson, QLD
Molly Strano, VIC
Annabel Sutherland, VIC
Rachel Trenaman, NSW
Belinda Vakarewa, TAS
Amanda-Jade Wellington, SA
Tahlia Wilson, NSW
Australia A T20 Squad
Maitlan Brown, ACT/Melbourne Renegades
Erin Burns, NSW/Sydney Sixers
Josie Dooley, QLD/Melbourne Renegades
Heather Graham, WA/Perth Scorchers
Phoebe Litchfield, NSW/Sydney Thunder
Tahlia McGrath (c), SA/Adelaide Strikers
Bridget Patterson, SA/Adelaide Strikers
Sammy Jo Johnson, QLD/Brisbane Heat
Molly Strano, VIC/Melbourne Renegades
Annabel Sutherland, VIC/Melbourne Stars
Belinda Vakarewa, TAS/Hobart Hurricanes
Elyse Villani, VIC/Melbourne Stars
Amanda-Jade Wellington, SA/Adelaide Strikers
Coach: Leah Poulton
Assistant Coaches: Dan Marsh, Shelley Nitschke, Ben Sawyer
Speaking on the makeup of the squads, National Selector Shawn Flegler said:
“For some players this tour will give them the opportunity to continue to push their case for national selection with several having already had a taste of international cricket. For others it’s an opportunity to continue to develop and gain further experience at this level.
“The squads have been selected with a long-term view to the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand in 2021 while also rewarding those players who have demanded selection through strong domestic performances.
“It’s important that that the depth of Australian Cricket continues to develop, with those players who have already had a taste on international cricket continuing to build their game and develop so they’re ready to go when the opportunity presents itself.
“It was really pleasing to see one of those players, Belinda Vakarewa, take the risk and move to Tasmania from New South Wales. She’s in great form and that gamble has really payed off for her.
“Bridget Patterson has been in previous squads and has gone away and done well in domestic cricket which is great to see and we’re really happy to see her force her way back.
“In her first season of senior cricket Phoebe Litchfield has shown why she’s so highly rated. For her this tour is a great chance to get a taste of playing against an international opposition.
“We’re also looking forward to seeing what Annabel Sutherland can do having missed the ‘A’ tour to England earlier in the year due to injury.
“With a T20 World Cup early next year and an ODI World Cup the following year, it’s exciting to see so many talented youngsters coming through the pathway and performing well and this tour is really going to test them against what we expect to be a strong Indian side.”
Fixture
12 December: 1st 50-over match, Australia A v India A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
14 December: 2nd 50-over match, Australia A v India A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
16 December: 3rd 50-over match, Australia A v India A, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
19 December: 1st T20, Australia A v India A, Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast
21 December: 2nd T20, Australia A v India A, Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast
23 December: 3rd T20, Australia A v India A, Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast
