All-rounder Alana King could make her international debut in the Women’s Ashes Series after being selected by Cricket Australia as part of a 15-player squad.
Australia – looking to defend their title since claiming it in 2015- will host a seven-match series, consisting of three T20 matches, a single Test match and three one-day internationals.
The 26-year-old Victorian was part of the Perth Scorchers’ triumphant team that won the Women’s Big Bash League in 2021, and has been rewarded for her fine form with a place in the Ashes squad.
King will also face the challenge of long-form cricket for the first time if she plays in the sole Test match of the series in Canberra on January 27-30.
Spinners Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux are absent from the squad due to injury, although the latter is expected to return ahead of the ODI World Cup that starts immediately after the Ashes.
Adelaide Strikers legspinner Amanda Jade Wellington was many people’s tip to be a part of the squad, but was in the end overlooked despite picking up 22 wickets in the WBBL.
Instead she must settle for a place in the Australia A squad for their series against an England A squad that will take place at the same time as the Ashes.
England meanwhile named a squad of 17 in December, and arrived in Canberra this week, ahead of the first T20 at the Adelaide Oval on January 20.
Australia Ashes squad: Meg Lanning (c), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaemick.
England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt.
