Cricket Australia (CA) on May 13 announced their 15-member squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England. Australia captain Sophie Molineux is fit to lead after her bout with injury. 20-year-old left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton who recently made her T20I debut has replaced experienced pacer Darcie Brown.
Why Darcie Brown was dropped?
Australia selector Shawn Flegler explained that Brown didn’t make the cut as she hasn’t been able to cash in on the opportunity as frontline bowler. The pacer has remained wicketless in her last four T20Is.
"She was obviously disappointed. We've been trying to get Darc up over the last couple of years to be a frontline bowler and bowl in that powerplay and she just hasn't quite nailed that opportunity, but we still think she's going to have a great career for Australia as well," Flegler said.
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"She's still a young fast bowler, this is certainly not the end, and she may well get called up during the World Cup anyway."
Why Australia picked 4 spin-bowling options?
Despite the tournament being played in England, Australia have four spin-bowling options — Molineux, all-rounder Ash Gardner, Alana King and Georgia Wareham. Flegler said that there is a possibility that all four can be named in the playing XI if the conditions are spin-friendly.
"[Molineux is] our skipper and she's going to play... left-arm orthodox, it's highly valued in the women's game," Flegler said.
"Georgia's been a No. 1 legspinner. Alana's come in and done really well. But I think the pecking order is pretty clear. We've got Ash, Soph and Georgia, and then if conditions allowed, then Alana comes into it as well," she added.
Australia have a blend of experience and youth in their squad. Ellyse Perry is set to maker her 10th T20 World Cup appearance. Grace Harris has returned after a century in Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) final. The selectors have picked just one wicketkeeper, Beth Mooney in the squad. Tahlia Wilson will be travelling with the squad as a reserve.
Australia's T20 World Cup squad
Sophie Molineux (capt), Ashleigh Gardner (vice-capt), Tahlia McGrath (vice-capt), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wk), Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
Travelling reserve: Tahlia Wilson (wk).
Australia face South Africa in campaign opener
Australia have been placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, South Africa, Pakistan, Netherlands and India. The six-time champions will begin their campaign against South Africa at Manchester's Emirates Old Trafford on June 13.