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Alyssa Healy to miss the India series due to a knee injury. Tahlia McGrath will captain in Healy’s absence with Ashleigh Gardner her deputy.
Tahlia McGrath has been named captain for the India ODIs (BCCI Photo)
The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) on Saturday named a 13-player squad for the Women’s ODI series against India and the subsequent Tour of New Zealand. Georgia Voll has been included in her first Australia squad with captain Alyssa Healy to miss the India series due to a knee injury. Tahlia McGrath will captain in Healy’s absence with Ashleigh Gardner her deputy.
Voll has had a stellar start to the summer with the bat and currently sits in the top three run scorers in the Weber WBBL and Women’s National Cricket League. The 21-year-old has scored four half-centuries across both tournaments including scores of 98, 97 and 92.
Australia will play three One-Day Internationals against India from 5-11 December in Brisbane and Perth, with three ODIs against T20 world champions New Zealand to follow from 19-23 December in Wellington.
All six matches form part of the ICC Women’s Championship, with Australia currently sitting first in the standings.
Australia squad:
Alyssa Healy {*New Zealand series only}, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll {*India series only}, Georgia Wareham
Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said, “We’ve chosen an experienced squad for these two upcoming tours with next year’s Ashes series and ICC Women’s World Cup very much very much the focus.
“Georgia Voll has had a strong start to the summer and has shown her potential over several years. She’ll form an exciting partnership with Phoebe Litchfield at the top of the order in what will be a great opportunity for her to get a taste of international cricket against a strong India side.
“The decision for Alyssa Healy to miss the India series was made with a longer-term view to the Ashes, with her availability for the New Zealand series to become clearer over the next few weeks.
“Tahlia McGrath impressed as captain in tough conditions during the World Cup and will have strong support from Ash Gardner who has developed into a strong leader within the side, both on and off the field.
“India is an extremely dangerous side, and New Zealand will be full of confidence following their World Cup win, so we’re in for some entertaining cricket across both series.”
Commenting on the injuries to Sophie Molineux and Darcie Brown during the WBBL, Australian Women’s Team Physiotherapist, Kate Beerworth said, “Sophie has returned to play following knee soreness which will continue to be managed over the course of the summer.”
“Darcie has resumed training following a hip muscle strain and is on track for both series.”
