 "Australia announce Women's T20 World Cup squad led by Alyssa Healy")
Six-time champions Australia have announced their squad for this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup to be played in the UAE. There are no major surprises in the 15-player group for the tournament that begins in October, with opener Alyssa Healy to captain the side, following the retirement of Meg Lanning last year, and all-rounder Tahlia McGrath named as the vice-captain.
There are three changes from the Australia squad that won the Women’s T20 World Cup title last year, with Heather Graham, Jess Jonassen and Lanning replaced by Tayla Vlaeminck, Phoebe Litchfield and Sophie Molineux.
Vlaeminck will provide the Aussies with extra seam option alongside Megan Schutt, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown and Ellyse Perry, while Molineux will bolster the spin department that includes Ash Gardner, Alana King and Georgia Wareham.
Litchfield, due to play her first T20 World Cup, is part of an already strong batting line-up and could be an option to partner Healy or Beth Mooney at the top of Australia’s order.
Selector Shawn Flegler believes Australia have a well-balanced squad and is confident of a strong show.
“This is the first time in a long time we’ve had our entire contract list available for selection ahead of a World Cup and it’s resulted in a really stable and balanced squad," Flegler said.
“It’s the first time Alyssa Healy will have the reins at a World Cup and we’ve already seen what her and Tahlia McGrath bring from a leadership perspective, so it’s exciting for them to have this opportunity to lead their country on the biggest stage."
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Phoebe Litchfield is a real x-factor for us and will be well supported by an experienced group at her first World Cup.
“The pace duo of Tayla Vlaeminck and Darcie Brown is one we’ve been wanting to unleash for a while and is a real point of difference for us.
“Jess Jonassen is again unlucky to miss out, but we’ve been impressed with the way she’s bounced back, and we’ll continue to monitor her form ahead of the home summer.”
The squad will also play the three T20Is against New Zealand next month with the addition of allrounder Heather Graham who won’t be travelling to the UAE.
Australia are drawn in Group A alongside India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Australia squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
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