Sutherland, Garth named in Ashes squad

Cricket Australian’s National Selection Panel (NSP) has today announced the Australian squad for the white-ball component of the upcoming CommBank Women’s Ashes Series.

The squad features 13 players for the opening three One-Day Internationals, with all-rounder Grace Harris to join the side for the following three T20 Internationals.

The NSP will name a Test squad ahead of the historic Day-Night Test match at the MCG; the first of its kind at the venue and the first women’s Test match at the MCG since 1948-49.

All-rounder Sophie Molineux remains unavailable for selection with a left knee injury.

Australian squad for the CommBank Women’s Ashes – ODIs and T20Is

Alyssa Healy (NSW / Sydney Sixers / Sydney CC) – captain
Darcie Brown (SA / Adelaide Strikers / Northern Districts CC)
Ashleigh Gardner (NSW / Sydney Sixers / Bankstown CC)
Kim Garth (VIC / Melbourne Stars / Dandenong CC)
Grace Harris (QLD / Brisbane Heat / Western Suburbs CC) *T20s only
Alana King (WA / Perth Scorchers / Midland Guildford CC)
Phoebe Litchfield (NSW / Sydney Thunder / Sydney University CC)
Tahlia McGrath (SA / Adelaide Strikers / Glenelg CC) – vice-captain
Beth Mooney (WA / Perth Scorchers / Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)
Ellyse Perry (VIC / Sydney Sixers / Dandenong CC)
Megan Schutt (SA / Adelaide Strikers / Sturt CC)
Annabel Sutherland (VIC / Melbourne Stars / Prahran CC)
Georgia Voll (QLD / Sydney Thunder / Sandgate-Redcliffe District CC)
Georgia Wareham (VIC / Melbourne Renegades / Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC)

Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said:

“We’re pleased with how the side performed in recent series against India and New Zealand and are confident we have a balanced squad capable of retaining the Ashes.

“It was pleasing to see Alyssa Healy return to action against New Zealand and looked in good touch, along with a number of batters continuing their strong form on from the recent series against India.

“Whilst Georgia Voll didn’t play against New Zealand, she’s made a brilliant start to her international career and will be a strong option with the bat if required in her debut Ashes series.

“The bowling group provides plenty of variety which will be important against a strong England batting line up.

“The Ashes is always a fierce contest with the top two ranked teams in the world going head-to-head and this series will be no different.”

Australian Women’s Team Physiotherapist, Kate Beerworth provided an update on injured all-rounder, Sophie Molineux:

“Sophie Molineux will undergo left knee surgery next month, following that we will provide further updates on an anticipated return date.”

The CommBank Women's Ashes is a multi-format series, consisting of three ODIs, three T20Is and a Test match. Across the series, teams are awarded two points for each ODI and T20I win, while a Test win is worth four points. If a match is drawn the points are shared. The team that accumulates the most points at the end of the series will be awarded the Ashes. Australia has held the Ashes since retaining the trophy in 2015.