Australia and India will battle it out across all three formats, with the schedule including three One-Day Internationals, a historic day-night Test match at the WACA Ground and three Twenty20 Internationals.
The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel (NSP) has announced the following 18-player squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Bank Series against India.
The squad is:
- Meg Lanning (Captain, Victoria)
- Rachael Haynes (Vice-Captain, New South Wales)
- Darcie Brown (South Australia)
- Maitlan Brown (New South Wales)
- Stella Campbell (New South Wales)
- Nicola Carey (Tasmania)
- Hannah Darlington (New South Wales)
- Ashleigh Gardner (New South Wales)
- Alyssa Healy (New South Wales)
- Tahlia McGrath (South Australia)
- Sophie Molineux (Victoria)
- Beth Mooney (Queensland)
- Ellyse Perry (Victoria)
- Georgia Redmayne (Queensland)
- Molly Strano (Tasmania)
- Annabel Sutherland (Victoria)
- Tayla Vlaeminck (Victoria)
- Georgia Wareham (Victoria)
Australia and India will battle it out across all three formats, with the schedule including three One-Day Internationals, a historic day-night Test match at the WACA Ground and three Twenty20 Internationals.
Stella Campbell and Georgia Redmayne have been selected in their first Australian squad, while Maitlan Brown returns after an extended layoff with a hamstring injury.
Megan Schutt and Belinda Vakarewa requested not to be considered for selection due to personal reasons, while Jess Jonassen has been ruled out with a bone stress injury in her tibia.
Commenting on the squad, National Selector Shawn Flegler said:
"It's great to be able to get this series off the ground having had to delay it last season and with so many world-class players across both sides, it's going to be very entertaining cricket. India has played well against Australia in recent times and it's going to be a real test for the group given they've not had any cricket in the lead-in.
"With the current landscape posing numerous challenges, we've named a larger squad than usual to ensure we have as many scenarios covered as possible. This season's schedule is incredibly busy and as a result we've added extra depth to the pace bowling group to ensure there's enough coverage across all formats and conditions.
"We're really confident with the squad that we've assembled and are pleased to be able to include Stella and Georgia as well as welcoming back Maitlan who's missed a large amount of cricket through injury.
"Stella is yet another young fast bowler to have come through the pathway and adds another layer of depth to an emerging pace bowling group. She's a tall, bouncy fast bowler who we feel could be a real option throughout the series, particularly with the conditions in Perth.
"Georgia's selection is recognition of the strong couple of domestic seasons she's produced, and it's been pleasing to see her really start to her expand game in recent times. She provides strong cover for the top-order and adds good variety as a left-hander, with her 'keeping ability a bonus as well.
"Having worked so hard to earn a call-up to the squad last summer, it's great to have Maitlan back after suffering a long-term injury at a really unfortunate time. We love the way she swings the ball early and the variety she offers and feel she's someone that can be turned to in any format.
"Annabel was another one who missed the tour to New Zealand earlier this year, but she's worked hard over the winter and we expect her to play an important role this summer. Her batting in particular, will be important and having taken the opportunities that have come her way previously, we're looking forward to seeing what she can do this season.
"We're fully supportive of the requests from Belinda and Megan to not be considered for selection and will continue to work with them to ensure they have the appropriate support. As leader of the bowling attack, Megan's absence will provide the opportunity for someone else to play the type of role she has so well over a lengthy period.
"Jess is another big loss and will be disappointed to miss out, but she's another one that's worked hard over the winter and with a long summer ahead, her focus will be to get herself right with a lot of cricket left in the season."
Speaking on the injury to Jonassen, Australian Team Physiotherapist Kate Beerworth said:
"Unfortunately, Jess has developed some right shin pain during the pre-season. She has been diagnosed with a bone stress injury in her tibia and will therefore be unavailable for the upcoming series against India."
Due to the current COVID challenges, Cricket Australia will continue to monitor the situation right across the country and will consider whether or not it needs to make any decisions regarding rescheduling or moving matches in due course.
The tour is once again proudly presented by Commonwealth Bank, continuing their longstanding support of the women's game, at all levels in Australia
