Simply two video games after getting back from a critical knee damage leg-spinner Georgia Wareham is the shock inclusion within the 15-player Australian squad named to defend the T20 World Cup in South Africa in February.
Wareham, who has performed 35 T20s for Australia and was a part of the squad which secured the World Cup title on the MCG in March 2020, has performed two one-day video games for Victoria after getting back from an ACL damage.
She obtained the nod over fellow leggie Amanda-Jade Wellington, who missed choice regardless of being the third main wicket-taker within the WBBL and having been a part of Australia’s tour of India final November.
Wellington, Nicola Carey and teenager Phoebe Litchfield had been the unfortunate gamers dropped from that squad to accommodate Wareham and returning captain Meg Lanning within the group which is able to search to snare back-to-back titles.
Former Irish worldwide Kim Garth and Heather Graham, who took a hat-trick in India, additionally maintain their spots after making their T20I debuts in December.
Carey, injured Sophie Molineux and retirees Rachael Haynes and Delissa Kimmince are the gamers a part of the profitable 2020 marketing campaign who gained’t be a part of the title defence.
Nationwide part boss Shawn Flegler mentioned the omitted trio had been on standby however praised the resilience of Wareham to get again to cricket as key for her choice.
“It’s all the time powerful to slender a squad down to only 15 gamers, however we’re assured we’ve picked a well-balanced aspect that’s effectively positioned for the collection towards Pakistan and able to problem for a 3rd consecutive T20 title,” Flegler mentioned with the identical 15 set to play six video games towards Pakistan beginning January 16.
“Seeing Meg and Georgia again in motion for Victoria has been thrilling. Each deliver a wealth of expertise to the group, which is all the time essential throughout main tournaments.
“Georgia specifically, has had a tricky run of accidents, however she’s proven quite a lot of resilience and her return is an actual enhance for the aspect.”
Alyssa Healy will return from a calf damage and spinner Jess Jonassen has overcome a hamstring difficulty to re-join the crew.
“Alyssa and Jess are anticipated to be totally match and firing after minor accidents as effectively, so we’ve obtained a full-strength squad with loads of selection with each bat and ball if required,” Flegler mentioned.
“Heather and Kim each impressed when given the possibility in the course of the India collection, and we all know they’re able to carry out their function if the chance presents.
“Sadly, there was no room for Nicola, Phoebe or Amanda-Jade, however they’re nonetheless effectively and actually in our plans and are on standby ought to they be required.”
Australia will start its World Cup defence on 12 February towards trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand, earlier than rounding out the pool video games towards Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
AUSTRALIAN WORLD CUP SQUAD:
Meg Lanning (C), Alyssa Healy (VC), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth , Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
AUSTRALIA’S WORLD CUP FIXTURES
12 February: Australia v New Zealand, 7pm native time (4am AEDT), Boland Park, Paarl
15 February: Australia v Bangladesh, 7pm native time (4am AEDT), St George‘s Park, Port Elizabeth
16 February: Sri Lanka v Australia, 3pm native time (12am AEDT), St George‘s Park, Port Elizabeth
19 February: South Africa v Australia, 7pm native time (4am AEDT), St George‘s Park, Port Elizabeth
