Stars skipper confronts selection challenge from young guns

AUSTRALIAN leg- spinner Kristen Beams fears her days representing her country are numbered.

The 33-year-old has found it more and more difficult to hold her spot in the national side, having last played international cricket in the second one-dayer against England in October.

Beams was overlooked for the third ODI and subsequent three-match T20 series against the Poms, but holds out hope of selection for Australia’s tour of India in March.

“You have that moment and for me it’s always a difficult one — you’re 33 and you don’t know,” she said.

“I’m certainly doing everything I can to be best prepared to get the call up. It may have passed me by, it’s hard to know, but I’d love the opportunity to play with Australia again.

“It was nice to be a part of the Ashes, albeit a small one, and we’ll see what happens with the India tour, but all you can do is control what you can control.

“For me, that’s playing the best cricket I can with the Melbourne Stars and going back for Victoria in a couple of weeks.”

The Melbourne Stars skipper has taken just three wickets in 10 Women’s Big Bash League matches this campaign, with offspinner Erin Osborne (12 wickets) and fellow leggy Alana King (10) proving more prolific.

Competition for spots with Victoria’s 50-over team will get even tighter when spinners Georgia Wareham, Molly Strano and Sophie Molineux return to the fold.

“I’ve been so blessed to play as much cricket for Australia as I have,” said Beams, who debuted at 29.

“Your own mortality as a player is right in front of you. Do I still think I could play some more? Of course. But that’s a decision that's for the selectors.”

The touring squad will be named after the final round of the Women’s National Cricket League later next month.