The National Selection Panel has named a 13-player squad for the three-match Commonwealth Bank One-Day International Series against New Zealand, starting in Perth on 22 February.
Meg Lanning (c) (Victoria)
Rachael Haynes (vc) (New South Wales)
Nicole Carey (New South Wales)
Lauren Cheatle (New South Wales)
Ashleigh Gardner (New South Wales)
Alyssa Healy (wk) (New South Wales)
Jess Jonassen (Queensland)
Sophie Molineux (Victoria)
Beth Mooney (Queensland)
Ellyse Perry (New South Wales)
Megan Schutt (South Australia)
Elyse Villani (Victoria) *subject to fitness
Georgia Wareham (Victoria)
Commenting on the squad, National Selector Shawn Flegler said:
“Selectors have opted to go with a squad very similar to the one that completed a clean sweep against Pakistan as well as winning the T20 World Cup late last year, with Nicole Bolton and Tayla Vlaeminck both unavailable for selection.
“Nicole in unavailable continuing her leave taken during the Big Bash, while the decision was made not to rush Tayla back from a knee injury that ruled her out of the back-end of the Big Bash and last round of domestic cricket.
“Lauren Cheatle really impressed on the Australia A tour to India in October, and it’s pleasing to see her back playing regular cricket after a string of injuries and we’re confident that her ability to swing the ball will be a challenge for New Zealand.
“This series is really import for the side, with ICC Women’s Championship points up for grabs it’s a great chance for the team to cement its position at the top of the table and finish the summer on a high.”
Speaking about Elyse Villani’s hamstring injury, Australian Team Physiotherapist, Kate Mahony said:
“Elyse is recovering from a hamstring injury. All progressing as planned, Elyse will tick off the final aspects of her rehabilitation over the next week and we expect that she will be fully fit for the start of the NZ series.”
Australia and New Zealand will play for the Rose Bowl – the trophy up for grabs during each One-Day International series between the two countries. Australia has held the Rose Bowl for the last 17 years, winning each time the two sides have met since retaining the trophy in 2000.
Selectors also named the following players to take part in this year’s Governor-General’s XI match against New Zealand on 28 February at Drummoyne Oval. Entry to the match is free.
Alex Blackwell (c) (Formerly New South Wales)
Erin Burns (ACT)
Josie Dooley (Queensland)
Nicole Faltum (wk) (Victoria)
Heather Graham (Western Australia)
Sammy Jo Johnson (Queensland)
Phoebe Litchfield (New South Wales)
Tahlia McGrath (South Australia)
Rachel Rae-Martin (Australian Defence Force)
Annabel Sutherland (Victoria)
Rachel Trenaman (New South Wales)
Belinda Vakarewa (New South Wales)
ACT Meteors Head Coach, David Drew will coach the side, with High Performance Coach, Leah Poulton and Meteors Assistant Coach, Michael Barrington his assistants.
Tickets to the Commonwealth Bank One-Day International Series are available for $15 for adults, $10 for concession and free for kids*. Full prices for the season, on sale times and details on how to buy tickets are available at www.cricket.com.au/tickets.
*A valid match ticket can be purchased free of charge via the Ticketek website
Commonwealth Bank One-Day International Series v New Zealand – Fixtures
22 February: Australia v New Zealand, WACA, Perth
24 February: Australia v New Zealand, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide
28 February: Governor-General’s XI v New Zealand, Drummoyne Oval, Sydney
3 March: Australia v New Zealand, Junction Oval, Melbourne
