Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squads named for series against Pakistan

The Cricket Australia (CA) Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) today announced two 13-player squads for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ upcoming series of One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals against Pakistan next month.

The team will play four ODIs and four T20 International matches in Brisbane and the Gold Coast from 21 August.

It is the first series that contributes to qualification for the next ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, to be hosted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Victorian leg-spinner Kristen Beams has been included in the one-day international squad for the first time. Beams, the leading wicket-taker in last year’s Women’s National Cricket League (14 wickets at 13.21), also impressed selectors with her performances in tour matches against England last summer.

The only change to the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad that claimed victory at the ICC World T20 in Bangladesh in April, sees South Australian seamer Megan Schutt drafted in to replace the injured Holly Ferling, who is recovering from a back injury.

Commenting on the squads, Women’s National Selection Panel Chair Julie Savage said:

“This series against Pakistan will be a great challenge for our players and an opportunity to perform strongly in front of our home crowds which continue to support the development of the women’s game.

"It is also the first series we have contested that will count towards qualification for the next ICC Women’s World Cup. As the current title-holders, we are determined to ensure we qualify well for this event, so it is imperative our squad performs in this series and continues to play an exciting and entertaining style of cricket.

“In the One-Day International area, it's exciting for Australian cricket to have a leg-spinner included in the squad. Kristen Beams performed extremely well at domestic level last season and thoroughly deserves this opportunity.

"The T20 squad has a similar composition to the group that brought home the ICC World Twenty20 title from Bangladesh earlier this year. South Australian pace bowler Megan Schutt comes into the line-up to replace the injured Holly Ferling.

“Megan has been a consistent performer at domestic level for South Australia but hasn’t been able to cement a spot in the starting XI for the Southern Stars so she will be itching for an opportunity and that pressure for positions is encouraging,” Savage said.

Nicole Bolton and Beth Mooney have also missed out on selection from the 15-player squad that went to Bangladesh for the ICC World Twenty20 in March and April.

To see the full schedule and more information about the series, please visit: http://www.cricket.com.au/series/womens-international-series-v-pakistan

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars ODI squad:

Meg Lanning (captain) VIC

Alex Blackwell (vice-captain) NSW

Kristen Beams VIC

Nicole Bolton VIC

Jess Cameron VIC

Sarah Coyte NSW

Rene Farrell ACT

Alyssa Healy NSW

Julie Hunter VIC (subject to fitness)

Jess Jonassen QLD