Cricket Australia have announced their 15-member squad for the Women's T20 World Cup tournament beginning next month. Star wicketkeeper batter Alyssa Healy marks her return into the side following a recovery from a calf injury she sustained late last year. In addition, Georgia Wareham also finds her name in the squad after regaining fitness from the ACL injury.
It is pertinent to note that Wareham has had very little game time since she suffered the injury in 2021. The 23-year-old only recently returned to the cricket pitch, featuring in Victoria's one-day side.
The Aussies are the reigning World Champions and both Wareham and Healy were part of the side that won the previous edition of the T20 World Cup.
We're confident we've picked a well-balanced side: Selector
"It's always tough to narrow a squad down to just 15 players, but we're confident we've picked a well-balanced side that's well placed for the series against Pakistan and ready to challenge for a third consecutive T20 title," National Selector Shawn Flegler said as quoted by Cricket Australia.
"(Meg and Georgia) bring a wealth of experience to the group, which is always crucial during major tournaments … Georgia in particular has had a tough run of injuries, but she's shown a great deal of resilience and her return is a real boost for the side," he added.
If Australia manage to lift the trophy in South Africa, then this would be a third successive T20 World Cup for them after their win in the West Indies in 2018 and in their home conditions in 2020. Meg Lanning who led the Aussies to victory last time around will be at the helm of affairs on this occasion as well.
Australia Squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham