Australia Women's squad announced for India tour, Alyssa Healy named skipper

Former Ireland all-rounder Kim Garth and uncapped teenage sensation Phoebe Litchfield have been included in the Australian squad for the next month’s T20I series in India.

This series will be a good platform for both champion sides to continue their preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 that is scheduled to be played in South Africa. The last time these two teams met was in the final of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 with the Aussies clinching the gold courtesy of a nine-run win.

Meg Lanning to miss India WT20Is

Wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy will be leading Australia against India as regular skipper Meg Lanning has made herself unavailable for the tour. Healy was named the new vice-captain of the Australian women’s team after batting star Rachael Haynes announced her retirement from international cricket.

Thus, with Alyssa Healy at the helm of affairs as captain, Tahlia McGrath has been named the vice-captain for the India series. Meanwhile, the major focus could be on Kim Garth who is looking to make the most of the next phase of her international cricketing journey.

Kimberley Jennifer Garth has so far played 34 WODIs scoring 448 runs and picking up 23 wickets respectively. In the 51 WT20Is that she has played, the Irish international has amassed 762 runs and registered 42 scalps to her name. Thus, Garth’s international experience will be very handy for the Australian team in white-ball cricket going forward.

The former Irish cricketer moved to Australia in 2020 after she signed a contract with Cricket Victoria and since Garth has already got permanent residency, she is now eligible to play international cricket for Australia. Moreover, it has also been over three years since she last played an international game for Ireland.

Kim Garth has showcased consistent bowling performances for the Melbourne Stars in the ongoing WBBL having registered 12 scalps to her name at an economy of 6.71.

"[Kim has] been in our thinking, she's had a couple of strong seasons with the ball and adds extra depth to our pace-bowling stocks. She's a new-ball option but has a great change of pace as well," national selector Shawn Flegler said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Australia squad for India Tour: Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), Tahlia McGrath (vice-capt), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland