Cricket Australia’s Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today announced Australia’s 15-player squad to contest the ICC Women’s World Cup from 7-22 March this year and defend the title Australia won in 2005.
The squad will also travel to New Zealand for a five-match Rose Bowl Series from 1-12 February before the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars play in a Twenty20 International against New Zealand at the SCG on 15 February.
The squad is:
Karen Rolton (c) (SA)
Alex Blackwell (vc) (NSW)
Sarah Andrews (NSW)
Jessica Cameron (VIC)
Leonie Coleman (NSW)
Lauren Ebsary (WA)
Rene Farrell (WA)
Jodie Fields (QLD)
Delissa Kimmince (QLD)
Shelley Nitschke (SA)
Erin Osborne (NSW)
Ellyse Perry (NSW)
Leah Poulton (NSW)
Emma Sampson (SA)
Lisa Sthalekar (NSW)
Commenting on the squad, WNSP Chairperson Marg Jennings said:
“The squad announced today is a dynamic outfit capable of defending the ICC Women’s World Cup, with two exciting players included in Australia’s senior squad for the first time.
“We have taken the opportunity to reward two young players for their performances in interstate cricket this season. Erin Osborne has performed brilliantly for the Wolf Blass Breakers in this year’s WNCL. She was the equal leading wicket-taker in the preliminary rounds and the WNSP believes she is a player who can play an important role in the Southern Stars attack.
“Jessica Cameron is another player with enormous talent. She has been an influential member of the Vic Spirit middle order this season and the WNSP will be looking for her to play a similar role for Australia.
“Two players in particular can feel unlucky to have missed selection. Kate Blackwell and Sarah Edwards have been regular members of the Australian team in previous seasons and while it’s obviously disappointing for both to miss selection for such an important tournament, the WNSP feels it has chosen well-balanced squad for the defence of the World Cup.
“Kirsten Pike has also missed selection. Her WNCL campaign was unfortunately cut short by a foot injury which made it extremely difficult for the WNSP to include her in the final squad.
“With a Rose Bowl Series against New Zealand and a Women’s Twenty20 international at the SCG to come before the World Cup, we are confident that the team will be well-prepared for the challenge of defending their title on home soil.”
