Australia has unveiled a dynamic 15-player squad for the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2. Aiming for their maiden title after a semi-final exit in the inaugural edition earlier last year, the squad features a mix of emerging talent and players with substantial senior domestic cricket experience.
15-year-old Caoimhe Bray, who burst onto the scene during the WBBL this year. Bray’s exceptional performances, including a standout 84 runs and 4 for 20 in a tri-series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka in September, earned her a three-year contract with the Sydney Sixers. She followed it up by taking 10 wickets in WBBL 10, with best figures of 2 for 13 against Hobart Hurricanes.
Joining Bray are fast bowlers Chloe Ainsworth and Lucy Hamilton, key members of Australia’s U19 pace attack. Hamilton, who grabbed 12 wickets for Brisbane Heat in WBBL 10, including a record-equaling 5 for 8 against Melbourne Stars, will spearhead the attack alongside Ainsworth, who was named in the WBBL Team of the Tournament for her stellar performance of 12 wickets in 10 matches for the Perth Scorchers.
The squad features five players with prior World Cup experience, including Maggie Clark, who topped the wicket-takers’ chart in 2023 with 12 scalps in five matches. Eleanor Larosa, Lucy Hamilton, Chloe Ainsworth, and Kate Pelle also bring valuable tournament insights having previously played in the inaugural edition.
The batting unit includes Ines McKeon, a versatile opener with international experience for France. McKeon, who amassed 122 runs for the Melbourne Stars in WBBL 10, has 354 international T20I runs to her name. Keeper-batter Kate Pelle, who represented the Sixers, adds further depth to the lineup.
The team boasts three left-arm quicks, including Hamilton, Larosa, and Victorian Sara Kennedy, who is associated with the Renegades. Strikers’ Maggie Clark and Victoria’s leg-spinner Hasrat Gill, recently signed by the Sydney Thunder, round out a formidable bowling attack.
Other notable players include Amy Hunter, Grace Lyons, Ella Briscoe, and all-rounder Tegan Williamson. Juliette Morton, another leg-spinner, played two matches for the Sixers in the T20 Spring Challenge and is expected to play a key role.
Australia’s U19 squad has had extensive preparation, featuring in two tri-series and multiple camps in Brisbane. Reflecting on the preparations, Ainsworth said, “It’s really helped the group, just being able to know your teammates before you get to play with them (at a World Cup).”
Having endured an early exit in 2023 due to injury, ‘young gun’ Ainsworth is eager to contribute this time. “Hopefully, I can stay there the whole time, this time… I’m just happy to be there. We’ve got so many players that are contracted with either WBBL or WNCL, so hopefully we can go over to Malaysia and bring back the trophy,” she added.
Former Australian leg-spinner Kristen Beams will coach the team, while the captain will be named before the tournament begins. Cricket Australia’s Head of National Development, Sonya Thompson, expressed confidence in the squad’s depth, saying, “We’re excited by the level of talent in the World Cup squad, which includes many players who have experience in senior domestic cricket environments.”
The squad was finalized after the Under-19 National Championships in Perth, with performances in competitions such as the Spring Challenge, WNCL, and WBBL heavily influencing selections. Australia is placed in Group D alongside Bangladesh, Scotland, and Nepal, as they set their sights on bringing home the coveted trophy.
Australia U19 squad for 2025 Women’s World Cup:
Chloe Ainsworth, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Caoimhe Bray, Ella Briscoe, Maggie Clark, Hasrat Gill, Lucy Hamilton, Amy Hunter, Sara Kennedy, Eleanor Larosa, Grace Lyons, Ines McKeon, Juliette Morton, Kate Pelle, Tegan Williamson
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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