Australia announced the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to be held in the UAE from October 3. Three new players have been added from the 2023 victorious squad in South Africa.
Australia announce squad for women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Jess Jonassen misses out (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)
Australia announced squad for the women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Monday, August 26. Alyssa Healy is all set to lead the team into her first ICC event as a skipper as Australia aim for a historic fourth consecutive title win in the UAE. On the other hand, all rounder Tahlia McGrath has been named as the vice captain.
There are a total of three changes in the Australian squad from their victorious campaign in the previous edition in South Africa with Tayla Vlaeminck, Phoebe Litchfield and Sophie Molineux coming into the side.
25-year-old seamer Vlaeminck has played 17 T20Is so far, picking as many wickets at an average of 19.17 and an economy of 5.92. She will bolster the seam attack along with Megan Schutt, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown and Ellyse Perry. Left-arm spinner Molineux forms a strong four-pronged spin attack along with Ash Gardner, Alana King and Georgia Wareham.
21-year-old Phoebe Litchfield has been phenomenal with the bat in her short career so far having scored 191 runs from 13 matches at an average of 31.83 and a strike rate of 161.86. Australian selector Shawn Fleger expressed confidence in the captain Healy and vice captain McGrath to lead the country on the biggest stage.
“It’s the first time Alyssa Healy will have the reins at a World Cup and we’ve already seen what her and Tahlia McGrath bring from a leadership perspective, so it’s exciting for them to have this opportunity to lead their country on the biggest stage,” Fleger said.
Jess Jonassen is again unlucky to miss out: Fleger
He further sympathized with left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen has been in terrific form in recent times in Women's Premier League and The Hundred.
“Jess Jonassen is again unlucky to miss out, but we’ve been impressed with the way she’s bounced back, and we’ll continue to monitor her form ahead of the home summer,” he added.
Meanwhile, Australia are in Group A along with India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They will start their campaign against Sri Lanka on October 4. The tournament has recently been shifted from Bangladesh to UAE due to the ongoing political turmoil in the country. Australia are the most successful team in the Women's T20 World Cup having six titles to their name.
Australia's T20 World Cup squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck
