WBBL stars shine bright as Cricket Australia announces squad for inaugural Women's U-19 World Cup

Cricket Australia announced the squad for the inaugural Under-19 World Cup which is set to begin in January 2023 in South Africa. A 15-member squad was named for the tournament, which includes a number of well-known players from the Women’s Big Bash League finding themselves a spot in the team for the marquee event.

Following the end of the U19 Female National Championships in Perth, Australia announced their squad for the U-19 T20 World Cup, and also named five non-traveling reserves. Eight of the players named in the squad have prior experience as they’ve either played the WBBL or been a part of their states’ one-day domestic competitions.

They include the all-rounder Ella Hayward, who has established herself as a regular, thanks to the off-spin skills she showcased playing for the Melbourne Renegades and Victoria since having made her debut in 2020. Leg-spinners Amy Smith of Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes, whose prowess at the surface will now allow her to assume the role of an all-rounder in the U-19 team.

While leg-spinner Jade Allen and pace bowler Rhys McKenna both have contracts with NSW, batter Claire Moore is under contract with Victoria and the Stars. Lucy Hamilton, Queensland’s left-arm pacer made her WBBL debut in the recently concluded season for the Brisbane Heat. Charis Bekker, the spin-bowling allrounder who represents the Perth Scorchers, and Adelaide Strikers’ quick Ella Wilson are two senior players with tremendous experience.

Big players miss out due to age factor

After making an unexpected WBBL debut for the Renegades after being called up at the last minute to play against the Sixers in Ballarat due to an injury to Josie Dooley, wicketkeeper Paris Bowdler has been added to the U19s team. Darcie Brown and Phoebe Litchfield, two 19-year-old members of the current Australian senior squad, as well as WBBL regulars Georgia Voll, Tess Flintoff, and Charli Knott, were not eligible for selection since the players had to be 18 or younger by August 31, 2022.

Sarah Aley, former Australia, and Sydney Sixers pacer will be in charge of the team and Erin Osborne and Dulip Samaraweera will join her on the coaching staff. Australia are placed in Group A and will face Bangladesh, the USA, and Sri Lanka in the group stage games. The semi-final will be played on January 27, 2023, and the summit clash will be played on January 29, 2023.

Australia Squad for Women's U-19 World Cup: 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, Ella Wilson.

Non-travelling reserves: Paris Hall, Samira Dimeglio, Sara Kennedy, Olivia Henry, Ananaya Sharma