Cricket Australia announced the squad for the Women’s Ashes on Tuesday and had recalled Lauren Cheatle and Tahila McGrath to play in the series next month. The two teams will play three ODI’s, three T20’s and a one-off Day/Night Test match the North Sydney Oval to be played from 9-12 November. The squad announced is just for the ODI’s and Test series. The T20 squad will be announced after the third ODI on 28th October.
The 14 member squad for the ODI series has dropped three players from the side which travelled to England for the World Cup. Sarah Aley, Belinda Vakarewa and their injured captain Meg Lanning have been dropped from the side. Lauren Cheatle and Tahlia McGrath are the two fresh faces in the 14 member squad.
The two have been included in the 15 member squad for the One-off Day/Night Test match alongside four more uncapped players, Vakararewa, Beth Mooney, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Ashleigh Gardner. However, the squad will be cut down to 13 members after a three-day pink ball warm match against ACT XI early next month.
National selector Shawn Flegler said:
“This was a really tough selection process for the Panel with some talented players missing out, but we’re confident we have selected a balanced side that has the potential to beat England and retain the Ashes, of the 15 players selected across the weekend, eight posted scores of 50 or more for their domestic sides, including four centuries, whilst fast-bowlers Lauren Cheatle and Tahlia McGrath made successful returns from injury.”
He added:
“It’s important with the multi-format nature of this series to start well, and whilst the big prize is retaining the Ashes, this series presents a golden opportunity for the team to reinstate themselves as the number one ranked side in the world.”
ODI Squad-: Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (VC), Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (C), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington
Test Squad-: Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (VC), Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (C), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington