Australia announces 15-member squad for Women’s T20 World Cup

Alyssa Healy is all set to lead Australia on the global stage for the first time as the Women in Yellow named a strong 15-member squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, which commences on October 3 in the UAE.

Darcie Brown, who had suffered a stress fracture of the foot, has recovered and made her way back into the side. She will form an exciting partnership with Tayla Vlaeminck to provide extra pace in Australia’s bowling repertoire. Meanwhile, the talented Phoebe Litchfield is all set to play her first T20 World Cup.

Australia are the most successful team in the competition, having won the title on six occasions. They have also emerged victorious in the last three editions of the tournament in 2018, 2020, and 2023. With the kind of strength and depth they have in their squad, they could well go on to defend their title once again.

Meanwhile, Sophie Molineux (rib) and Grace Harris (calf) have recovered from injuries that kept them out of the recently concluded Hundred in England.

“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,” national selector Shawn Flegler was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Jess Jonassen is again unlucky to miss out: Shawn Flegler

Jess Jonassen has been a key performer for Australia in the last decade. However, she lost her spot in the side for the tour of Bangladesh earlier this year. The spin-bowling all-rounder couldn’t make it to the squad but Flegler said that her performances will be monitored during the season which includes an Ashes series. So she could make a comeback to the national team later this year.

“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,” Flegler said.

The squad named for the World Cup will also play the three T20Is against New Zealand next month with the addition of allrounder Heather Graham who won’t travel to the UAE.

Australia Women’s T20 World Cup squad: Alyssa Healy (capt and wk), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck.