The might Aussies are back in the race for the cup. The Australian side, even on its bad day, cannot be denied the chance to own any sporting event. The men in yellow have played to establish their might and it is no different for the women.
Australia is a force to reckon in the female cricketing arena. With the much-awaited world cup around the corner, cricket fans and experts had eyes on the probable Australia cricket team. However, the clouds are off this day and the final 15-member squad has been announced. The Australian mantra for the selection can be termed as result-oriented.
This comes behind the fact that 13 out of 15 members of the team had lifted the trophy earlier in the Caribbean. The selection think tank bagged on experienced players who are tried and tested. The only new entry was Sutherland. Her consistency in the national league led her to the national side. It is inspiring to note that love for cricket made its way to Annabel Sutherland from her father James Sutherland who was the former chief of Cricket Australia.
Meg Lanning will lead the side as routine and assisting her, in the role of vice-captain, would be Rachel Haynes. Lanning and Haynes have been established names in cricket globally. They have experience and a heavy array of performances to inspire and guide the team throughout the event.
Interestingly, Erin Burns has been chosen by the selectors as one of the leading all-rounders for the team. She had not taken part in the women’s national cricket league and was reportedly undergoing surgery to get her into the best shape and state before the world cup. She had impressed scorers with her century and 50 odd run stints against the healthy Indian team.
Australia’s T20 World Cup squad:
Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes (VC), Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
The batting for the Aussies will be taken care of by the Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney who have been sensational with their consistent performances in the WBBL. The middle-order will enjoy the benefit of learned and experienced Ellyse Perry and Haynes.
Sophie Molineux along with the senior Jesse Jonassen shall lead the bowling attack. They shall also get the assistance of Tayla who is lethal with her pace on Australian pitches. Megan Schutt can also come handy with her magical swing.
The Australian national selector Shawn Flegler, while revealing the names, emphasized that the team was stable. He made it clear that players like Molly Strano and Tahlia McGrath might not be named but are on the cards to get a call whenever needed.
Leaving out of a number of experienced players indicates the depth in the Aussie line-up. The Australia cricket team looks lethal on paper and with the records of the main players, it is no exaggeration to say that the cup might fly fifth time to their cabinets.
A student who enjoys studying cricket more than anything else, keen to learn the insights of the women’s game.