Australia Announce 14-Member Squad Ahead of Bangladesh Series

Staff Report | PNN

The Australia women’s cricket team is set to return to international cricket for the first time since winning the Women’s T20 World Cup for a record seventh time. Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel has announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Regular captain Sophie Molineux has been included in the squad. However, her participation in the ODI series against Bangladesh remains uncertain as she has not yet fully recovered from a hip injury. Her fitness will be assessed over the next few days before a final decision is made.

The reigning world champions will return to international cricket with a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. The matches will be played in Brisbane from October 9 to 14. If Molineux is unable to play, Tahlia McGrath will lead the team. Each match in the series will begin at 9:50am Bangladesh time.

After the Bangladesh series, Australia will face New Zealand in a three-match T20I series in Sydney. The series will take place from October 18 to 22. Almost the same squad has been selected for both series.

Fast bowler Darcie Brown has been left out of the Australia squad because of a back problem. Young all-rounder Lucy Hamilton will also miss the ODI series against Bangladesh due to a thigh injury. However, Australia hopes Hamilton will be available for the T20I series against New Zealand.

All-rounder Grace Harris, who featured in the most recent T20 World Cup, has not been included in the squad this time.

The series is also important for Molineux. The cricketer has dealt with several injury setbacks during her career and suffered a back problem after being appointed captain earlier this year. She later recovered from the injury and led Australia to the T20 World Cup title.

Australia national selector Shawn Flegler said another player could be added to the squad after the next round of Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) matches is completed.

Australia are also hopeful of seeing Darcie Brown return to competitive cricket. She could make her comeback at some stage during the Women’s Big Bash League, which is scheduled to begin at the end of October.

Australia view the series against Bangladesh and New Zealand as an important part of their preparations for the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in India in February next year.

Australia squad: Sophie Molineux (captain), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton (T20Is only), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll and Georgia Wareham.