Australia Womens Cricket Team Announced for Bangladesh ODIs and New Zealand T20 Series

New Delhi, September 30 (Daily Kiran) : Cricket Australia has officially revealed the women’s team for the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh and the T20 series against New Zealand. Captain Sophie Molineux and Lucy Hamilton will miss the three-match ODI series due to injuries but are expected to return for the T20 matches against New Zealand.

Both players were included in the 14-member squad selected for the series. Tahlia McGrath will take the helm as captain during the ODIs, which will be held from October 9 to October 14 in Brisbane. If Molineux remains unavailable for the New Zealand series, vice-captain Ashley Gardner may lead the team.

Darcy Brown is also ruled out of both series due to injury, while Grace Harris has been dropped from the squad. National selector Shawn Fliegler commented that Molineux sustained her injury upon returning from ‘The Hundred.’ Initially, the injury seemed minor, but she has not yet fully recovered. There is hope she will be fit in time for the T20 series against New Zealand.

Fliegler expressed confidence in Gardner’s ability to lead if the opportunity arises, despite Gardner’s recent personal challenges. He assured that these issues would not affect her performance on the field.

Regarding Hamilton, Fliegler noted that she experienced a minor quad strain during training but should be fit for the T20 series. Brown is dealing with a slight disc issue in her back, which has sidelined her temporarily, but there is optimism she may return for parts of the Women’s Big Bash League starting at the end of October.

Fliegler acknowledged that Harris’s exclusion is unfortunate, but she will remain in contention for future selections.

The Australian squad for the ODI and T20 series against Bangladesh and New Zealand includes: Nicola Carey, Ashley Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton (for T20), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux (captain), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, and Georgia Voll.