The Cricket Australia Women’s National Selection Panel today announced the 14-player Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad to take on the New Zealand White Ferns in the Rose Bowl Series in Christchurch.
After a drawn one-day international series and a Test loss against England, selectors have made two changes for the series, with Western Australia’s Renee Chappell and Queensland’s Delissa Kimmince set to earn their first international caps.
Jodie Purves has also regained her place and has been selected in the 14-player squad as a specialist batter after a broken thumb forced her to miss the series against England.
South Australia’s Kris Britt and Queensland’s Melissa Bulow are the players to make way for the newcomers.
Australia is the current holder of the Rose Bowl having won last year’s series 3-2. The series comprises five one-day matches, with a Twenty20 international to be played in the lead-up. All matches will be played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Christchurch.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad for the series is:
Karen Rolton (captain), SA, 33
Lisa Sthalekar (vice-captain), NSW, 28
Sarah Andrews, NSW, 26
Alex Blackwell, NSW, 24
Kate Blackwell, NSW, 24
Renee Chappell , WA, 24
Leonie Coleman, NSW, 29
Sarah Edwards, VIC, 26
Delissa Kimmince, QLD, 18
Shelley Nitschke, SA, 31
Ellyse Perry, NSW, 17
Jodie Purves, QLD, 23
Emma Sampson, SA, 22
Kirsten Pike, QLD, 23
Chair of Selectors Margaret Jennings said: “The Rose Bowl Series provides us with an opportunity to bring in new players and see what they can add to the squad in the lead-up to the World Cup next year. Both Delissa and Renee have been selected to fill positions we feel need improving.
“The players excluded from the squad are not out of World Cup calculations by any means but they will need to go away and work hard to earn another opportunity.
“The selectors are looking for a consistency of performance from the team and to maintain that standard. We’re looking to find players that are capable of producing those performances.”
Tour Schedule
Twenty20 International
Thu 6 March: Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars v New Zealand, 5pm
Rose Bowl Series
Sat 8 March: Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars v New Zealand, 10.30am
Sun 9 March: Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars v New Zealand, 10.30am
Wed 12 March: Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars v New Zealand, 10.30am
Sat 15 March: Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars v New Zealand, 10.30am
Sun 16 March: Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars v New Zealand, 10.30am
