Young guns join Perry to take on Kiwis
ELLYSE Perry is back in the Australian squad, with NSW rising star Hannah Darlington also in the frame for an international debut against New Zealand in March.
South Australian teenager Darcie Brown, who turns 18 next month, has also earned a call-up, while fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck returns after making a strong comeback from a serious injury for Victoria.
Perry missed Australia’s record-setting ODI series against the Kiwis before
Christmas, when captain Meg Lanning’s team equalled the world record for most consecutive ODI wins, after struggling to overcome the hamstring issue that forced her to miss the T20 World Cup win year.
But she returned in the WBBL during which Darlington, who turned 20 last month, played a key role for the Sydney Thunder in their title win.
“The likes of Darcie Brown and Hannah Darlington have impressed us with their skill and professionalism, and we are delighted to reward them with selection in this squad,” national selector Shawn Flegler said.
“Darcie (Brown) obviously had an outstanding WBBL. A fast bowler bowling outswing last at 17 years of age, she’s an exciting prospect.”
Australia will take on New Zealand in three Twenty20 Internationals from March 28 before the coveted Rose Bowl Trophy goes on the line in three One-Day Internationals from April 4.
SQUAD: Meg Lanning, Rachael Haynes, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham