Victoria has named its 13-player squad to face rivals New South Wales in the Women’s National Cricket League season opener at the CitiPower Centre, featuring three potential debutants. Geelong’s Mia Perrin earns selection after an impressive first pre-season with the state team, joined by Zoe Samuel (Melbourne CC) and Holly Spencer (Ringwood CC) for their […]
Victoria has named its 13-player squad to face rivals New South Wales in the Women's National Cricket League season opener at the CitiPower Centre, featuring three potential debutants.
Geelong's Mia Perrin earns selection after an impressive first pre-season with the state team, joined by Zoe Samuel (Melbourne CC) and Holly Spencer (Ringwood CC) for their first squad call-ups.
Nicole Faltum returns from Australia's recent ODI tour of India, while Rhys McKenna will captain Victoria for the first time, supported by vice-captain Ella Hayward, fresh from a career-best season where she claimed the Sharon Tredrea Award.
The squad heads into Round 1 full of confidence after a strong pre-season that included visits to cricket hubs in Geelong, Greenvale, Ringwood and, Mildura.
Georgia Prestwidge looms as a key player following standout form for Australia A, alongside the experience of Meg Lanning.
Victoria completed a clean sweep against NSW last year in Sydney, where McKenna and Sophie Day starred in memorable wins over the eventual WNCL Champions.
The home side will be without several internationals preparing for the Women's World Cup in India – Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Georgia Wareham and Annabel Sutherland – while Samara Dulvin is currently captaining Australia's U19s in Sri Lanka.
Head Coach Andy Christie said the group is ready to go.
"The players have put in a fantastic block of work across the pre-season. With three potential debutants, Nicole returning from international duties, and Rhys stepping up to captain for the first time, there's a great sense of energy in the group. Facing NSW is always a highlight on the calendar, and we're excited to see this team take the next step together."
Victoria will face NSW at CitiPower Centre on Friday, September 26 (AFL Grand Final public holiday) and Sunday, September 28, with both matches starting at 10am. Both games will be streamed live on Kayo and cricket.com.au.
Victorian Women's 13-Player Squad:
- Rhys McKenna (c) - Prahran CC
- Sophie Day - Prahran CC
- Nicole Faltum (wk) - Dandenong CC
- Hasrat Gill - Melbourne CC
- Ella Hayward (vc) - Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC
- Olivia Henry - Prahran CC
- Meg Lanning - Box Hill CC
- Sasha Moloney - Carlton CC
- Mia Perrin - Geelong CC
- Georgia Prestwidge - Melbourne CC
- Sophie Reid - Carlton CC
- Zoe Samuel - Melbourne CC
- Holly Spencer - Ringwood CC
