Meg Lanning set to return from injury for India tour

Australia women’s team skipper Meg Lanning is all set to make her much-awaited return from injury. Lanning, 25, will return to the Aussie Gold to lead her country in next month’s tour of India after undergoing a shoulder surgery last August. The top order batswoman is one of the four inclusions of the 14-member strong ODI squad to play three matches in Vadodara. She has also been named in Australia’s T20 squad for the subcontinent series.

Lanning last played for Australia in their World Cup semi-final defeat to India last July. The national skipper was then forced to watch from the sidelines as the Southern Stars, under the leadership of acting captain Rachael Haynes, who has now been named vice-captain following the retirement of Alex Blackwell, retained the Women’s Ashes late last year.

Lanning was expectant of making an early return for Victoria in the final round of the Women’s National Cricket League last weekend, but Australia is taking a cautious approach with the star’s return.

According to Australia.com.au, national selection Shawn Flegler said, “Meg’s rehab has been progressing well, she’s back to her old self with the bat and with a few weeks until the first match, we’re confident she’ll be right to play when the times comes.”

The team will bear a new look

The Australian team is set to bear a new look as promising young allrounders Sophie Molineux and Nicola Carey are in line to make their international debuts. Molineux earned her maiden call-up to the Australian national team after her breakout season for the Renegades in the Rebel Young Gun for WBBL|03. Both she and Carey have also been included in the 14-player T20 squad for the tri-series featuring Australia, India and, England, alongside Carey’s Thunder teammate Naomi Stalenberg.

NSW quick Belinda Vakarewa has also been recalled to the squad.

Australia ODI squad: 

Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes (VC), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Australia T20 squad: 

Meg Lanning (C), Rachael Haynes VC), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Naomi Stalenberg, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington