Australia’s finest domestic talents are set to step into the spotlight, with a multi-format Australia A series against England A kicking off in late March.
This series is a golden opportunity for 30 top-performing players from the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) to make a case for higher honors, with selections reflecting their standout performances in the recently concluded domestic season.
The Australia A squad will feature across three T20s, three 50-over games, and a four-day match, all hosted in Sydney. Leadership duties have been split among seasoned domestic stars, with Heather Graham captaining the T20 side, Nicole Faltum leading the one-dayers, and Charli Knott taking charge for the red-ball clash.
Before the A series, a high-intensity Green vs Gold game will be played in Canberra from March 12-14, a format introduced last year to test domestic players in the longer format. Faltum will lead the Green team, while Knott will captain the Gold side.
The Australia A squad boasts an exciting mix of experience and fresh talent, with several new names earning recognition for their exceptional WNCL campaigns. Among them is Sianna Ginger, a 19-year-old all-rounder from Queensland who impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 205 runs from 11 innings with a top score of 48* and claiming 15 wickets from 13 matches, including the best of 4/49. Rhys McKenna, a 20-year-old batter from Victoria, showed promise with 172 runs from 11 innings, her highest being 33.
Meanwhile, Tasmania’s Amy Smith, a highly skilled 20-year-old bowler, made her presence felt with 15 wickets in just eight matches, delivering the best of 5/45, while also showcasing her ability to add crucial runs lower down the order. Another Tasmanian, Courtney Webb, dominated the batting charts, scoring 572 runs at an impressive average of 52 from 12 matches, including a century (120).
New South Wales’ Tahlia Wilson was the standout batter of the WNCL, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-getter with 667 runs from 13 matches, headlined by a stunning knock of 142. Her contributions were pivotal in NSW’s championship-winning campaign, and she will be eager to carry that form into Australia A colors.
Australia A squads for England series:
T20 Squad:
Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Amy Edgar, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Heather Graham (C), Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Rhys McKenna, Madeline Penna, Amy Smith, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson
50-over Squad:
Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum (C), Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Ella Hayward, Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Amy Smith, Georgia Voll, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson
Four-day Squad:
Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Maddy Darke, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Ella Hayward, Charli Knott (C), Anika Learoyd, Lilly Mills, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia Wilson
The Australia A series will commence with three T20 matches at Hurstville Oval on March 26, 28, and 30. The action then shifts to Cricket Central in Sydney for the 50-over games on April 2, 4, and 7, before concluding with the four-day contest at the same venue from April 12-15.
Australia v England A series schedule:
| Date | Match | Venue |
| 26th March 2025 | 1st T20 | Hurstville Oval |
| 28th March 2025 | 2nd T20 | Hurstville Oval |
| 30th March 2025 | 3rd T20 | Hurstville Oval |
| 2nd April 2025 | 1st One Day | Cricket Central, Sydney |
| 4th April 2025 | 2nd One Day | Cricket Central, Sydney |
| 7th April 2025 | 3rd One Day | Cricket Central, Sydney |
| 12th–15th April 2025 | Four-Day Match | Cricket Central, Sydney |
With national selectors keeping a close eye, this series represents a massive opportunity for Australia’s rising stars to push their cases for senior team selection. The domestic circuit has long been a breeding ground for international talent, and with players like Wilson, Webb, and Ginger in top form, the competition against England A promises to be a thrilling battle between two strong development squads.
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