Australia women go with consistency in selection for home series against Sri Lanka

Australia women go with consistency in selection for home series against Sri Lanka







After a lot of success on the road, Australia return for a home series 

With a home World T20 coming up in a few months, Australia selectors have gone for consistency with their selections, naming the same T20I squad that recently blanked West Indies in the Caribbean for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka . The only change from that touring party is the omission of all-rounder Erin Burns, who made her debut in West Indies, in the ODI squad.

Australia host Sri Lanka for three T20Is in Sydney - starting from September 29 - and then move northward along the coast to Brisbane for the three ODIs - from October 5.

Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

"The selectors have elected to stick with the same group of players that completed a 6-0 tour whitewash against the West indies recently with Erin Burns the unlucky player to miss out on the ODI squad," National selector Shawn Flegler said.

"It's been a big few months for the players with an away Ashes series and a short turnaround from the West Indies tour, and with back-to-back T20 matches we have named an extra player in the T20 squad as cover. With the T20 World Cup just under five months away it's crucial to find some consistency in the T20 squad, and we feel like we have that which is pleasing.

"Sri Lanka is an up and coming side and will provide a good challenge across both formats, with the series also presenting the team with the opportunity to fine tune its preparations ahead of that World Cup."

Opening batter Nicole Bolton, who took a leave of absence during the West Indies tour to focus on her mental health, has still not made a comeback into the national side. She, though, has made heads turn in the opening round of Women's National Cricket League - hitting 77 and 63 for Western Australia.

While all the focus will now be on how the two teams fare in the shortest format, there are also incentives to work towards in the 50-overs leg of the tournament. With their dominating performance in West Indies, Australia usurped rivals England to move up to the top of the Women's ODI Championship table, and will now have a chance to enhance their stronghold at the very top with more such points up for grabs.