Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel on Wednesday, September 30, named a 14-player squad for the NRMA Insurance Women’s International Series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. The series marks Australia’s return to international action following their historic seventh ICC Women’s T20 World Cup triumph.
The squad includes two vice-captains, with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath sharing those duties. Sophie Molineux has been named captain across both formats, though her participation will be assessed as she manages a hip injury. Lucy Hamilton will miss the ODI leg of the series after suffering a mild quad strain at training, while Darcie Brown is unavailable due to a back injury.
Australia will face Bangladesh in three One-Day Internationals at Allan Border Field from October 9 to 14 as part of the ICC Women’s Championship. Three T20 Internationals against New Zealand will follow at North Sydney Oval on October 18, 20 and 22.
What do the injury concerns mean for Australia’s leadership?
Molineux’s hip injury means her availability for the series will be monitored closely in the days ahead. With Molineux uncertain for the ODI leg, McGrath is confirmed to captain Australia in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh from October 9 to 14. Should Molineux miss any of the T20I matches against New Zealand from October 18 to 22 in Sydney, Gardner is expected to step in as captain for those fixtures.
The squad’s depth in leadership reflects Australia’s preparation for a busy international schedule. Australia has won all three ICC Women’s Championships and remains the only undefeated nation in the current cycle, adding further weight to the ODI fixtures against Bangladesh.
The T20I series against New Zealand, the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winners, carries added significance. Both sides will use the three matches to prepare for the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in India in February. The ODI series against Bangladesh also offers Australia’s batters exposure to subcontinent-style bowling ahead of that tournament.
“These six matches will provide a great challenge for the side following the World Cup, with both Bangladesh and New Zealand presenting different challenges. Bangladesh will be a really good test, particularly with the quality they have in their bowling attack. It’s also a great opportunity for our batters to get exposure to subcontinent-style bowling ahead of the Champions Trophy in India,” National Selector Shawn Flegler said.
“Sophie has been named in the squad but has been managing a hip injury, so her involvement in the series will continue to be assessed over the coming days. Lucy suffered a mild quad strain at training, but we’re hopeful she’ll recover in time to be fit and firing for the T20 series. Darcie was assessed on her return home from the Australia A tour to India and has a back injury. Her availability for the Women’s Big Bash will be determined over the coming weeks. With the T20 squad reduced in size and limited opportunities during the World Cup, Grace Harris is unlucky to miss out on selection but remains in the frame moving forward,” Flegler added.
Australia women’s full squad for NRMA Insurance Women’s International Series
Sophie Molineux (captain), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner (VC), Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton (T20I only), Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath (VC), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
