The Australian team for the first-ever ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup was announced by Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday. It includes a number of young players who have excelled in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).
Following the end of the 2022/23 Under-19 Female National Championships in Perth on Monday, the Youth Selection Panel chose a 15-player roster. The Australian team will be managed by head coach Sarah Aley and her assistant coaches Erin Osborne and Dulip Samaraweera. The team consists of eight players with domestic experience.
Along with leg-spin all-rounder Amy Smith, who frequently plays for Hobart Hurricanes and Tasmania, Australia's team also contains off-spin all-rounder Ella Hayward, who has established herself as a staple with Melbourne Renegades and Victoria.
Along with left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton, who made her WBBL debut for Brisbane Heat in the eighth season, fast bowler Rhys McKenna is under contract to Melbourne Stars and Victoria. Paris Bowdler, the Renegades' wicketkeeper, also had WBBL experience.
Due to the CA's additional requirement that players be 18 years of age or younger on August 31, 2022, current Australia senior cricketers Darcie Brown and Phoebe Litchfield, as well as WBBL young stars Georgia Voll, Tess Flintoff, and Charli Knott, who are all 19 years old, are ineligible for selection.
"This year's Under 19 Female National Championships featured some great competition. We are excited to watch our squad compete at the Under-19 World Cup because players have a great opportunity to flourish there."
"Many of the players in our squad have played in professional cricket settings, but the final World Cup roster was chosen based on overall performances in a range of tournaments. There were unavoidably difficult selection decisions, but we'll keep supporting and keeping an eye on everyone's growth in our route systems "said Shawn Flegler, Head of Women's Performance at Cricket Australia.
In Group A of the World Cup, which begins on January 14 and is split between Potchefstroom and Benoni with the final taking place on January 29, Australia will compete against Bangladesh, the United States, and Sri Lanka.
Australia Under-19 World Cup squad: Chloe Ainsworth, Jade Allen, Charis Bekker, Paris Bowdler, Maggie Clark, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Eleanor Larosa, Rhys McKenna, Claire Moore, Kate Pelle, Amy Smith, and Ella Wilson
Non-travelling reserve players: Paris Hall, Samira Dimeglio, Sara Kennedy, Olivia Henry, and Ananaya Sharma