National Selectors will closely monitor 30 of Australia’s top domestic female players, with the squads for a three-day Green v Gold match and a multi-format Australia A series against England A confirmed.
Sixers duo Maitlan Brown and Lauren Cheatle have both been selected in the Australia A four-day squad, with Cheatle additionally selected for both the 50-over and T20 sides.
Brown and Cheatle have also earned a call up for the Green v Gold match, with the pair joined by NSW young gun and Sixers local replacement player, Elsa Hunter.
Players selected in the Green v Gold match will face off at Phillip Oval in Canberra from 12-14 March, with the fixture giving them the chance to hone their skills in the longer format.
The Australia A squad will face England A later this month, with the series set to begin with the first of the T20 matches on March 26 at Hurstville Oval.
Australia Green v Gold Squads
Green: Lauren Cheatle (NSW), Maddy Darke (WA), Grace Dignam (ACT), Nic Faltum (VIC), Sienna Ginger (QLD), Ella Hayward (VIC), Elsa Hunter (NSW), Katie Mack (ACT), Lilly Mills (WA), Georgia Prestwidge (VIC), Gabby Sutcliffe (ACT), Rachel Trenaman (TAS), Amanda-Jade Wellington (SA)
Gold: Maitlan Brown (NSW), Hannah Darlington (NSW), Sophie Day (VIC), Emma de Broughe (SA), Amy Edgar (WA), Tess Flintoff (VIC), Nicola Hancock (QLD), Charli Knott (QLD), Anika Learoyd (NSW), Bridget Patterson (SA), Amy Smith (TAS), Courtney Webb (SA), Tahlia Wilson (NSW)
Australia A T20 Squad
Lauren Cheatle (Sydney Sixers), Hannah Darlington (Sydney Thunder), Sophie Day (Melbourne Stars), Amy Edgar (Perth Scorchers), Tess Flintoff (Melbourne Stars), Sianna Ginger (Brisbane Heat), Heather Graham (Hobart Hurricanes), Charli Knott (Brisbane Heat), Anika Learoyd (Sydney Thunder), Rhys McKenna (Melbourne Stars), Madeline Penna (Adelaide Strikers), Amy Smith (Hobart Hurricanes), Courtney Webb (Melbourne Renegades), Tahlia Wilson (Sydney Thunder)
Australia A 50-over Squad
Lauren Cheatle (NSW), Hannah Darlington (NSW), Sophie Day (VIC), Nicole Faltum (VIC), Tess Flintoff (VIC), Sianna Ginger (QLD), Nicola Hancock (QLD), Ella Hayward (VIC), Charli Knott (QLD), Anika Learoyd (NSW), Amy Smith (TAS), Georgia Voll (QLD), Courtney Webb (SA), Tahlia Wilson (NSW)
Australia A Four-Day Squad
Maitlan Brown (NSW), Lauren Cheatle (NSW), Maddy Darke (WA), Sophie Day (VIC)
Nicole Faltum (VIC), Tess Flintoff (VIC), Sianna Ginger (QLD), Nicola Hancock (QLD), Ella Hayward (VIC), Charli Knott (QLD, Anika Learoyd (NSW), Lilly Mills (WA), Rachel Trenaman (TAS), Tahlia Wilson (NSW)
National Selector, Shawn Flegler said:
“These series make up a crucial part of the elite player pathway, providing some our best and most promising domestic players with additional development opportunities and the chance to show selectors what they can do against strong international opposition.
“The National Selection Panel is always looking to the future as we’ve seen in recent years with Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield transitioning into the Australian team with great success, so this is a great opportunity to get a look at a wide range of players.
“We’ve included some fresh faces across the squads and are excited to see the likes of Grace Dignam, Elsa Hunter, Gabby Sutcliffe, Sienna Ginger and Rhys McKenna in action.
“With a one-day world Cup in India this year and a T20 World Cup next year, the ‘A’ series in particular, will allow us to have a good look at players we think could push for selection.
“It’s been particularly pleasing to be able to include Rachal Trenaman and Lauren Cheatle, both have showed great resilience over several years to overcome a run of injuries and their selection is a testament to the hard work they’ve put in.”
Fixtures
Australia Green v Gold
12-14 March, 10:30am, Australia Green v Gold, Phillip Oval, Canberra
Women’s Australia A v England A Series
26 March: First T20, 1pm, Hurstville Oval
28 March: Second T20, 1pm, Hurstville Oval
30 March: Third T20, 1pm, Hurstville Oval
2 April: First 50-over match, 10:30am, Cricket Central, Sydney
4 April: Second 50-over match, 10:30am, Cricket Central, Sydney
7 April: Third 50-over match, 10am, Cricket Central, Sydney
12-15 April: Four-day match, 10am, Cricket Central, Sydney