Pacer Darcie Brown has recovered from her foot injury and found a spot in the 15-member Australia squad on Monday for the T20 World Cup, with defending champions leaving out experienced spinner Jess Jonassen. Brown missed out on the tour of Bangladesh for much of March after sustaining a foot injury. She has full fit and will join fellow pacer Tayla Vlaeminck.
"The pace duo of Tayla and Darcie is one we've been wanting to unleash for a while and is a real point of difference for us," said selection chief Shawn Flegler.
The squad aiming for a fourth consecutive T20 crown will be led by Alyssa Healy, with Tahlia McGrath her deputy in the tournament beginning in the UAE on October 3.
He said: "It is the first time in a long time that we've had our entire contract list available for selection a World Cup out, and it's resulted in a really stable and balanced squad. This will mark the first time Alyssa has ever had the reins at a World Cup, and we've already seen her and Tahlia bring great leadership perspectives, so it's exciting for them to have the chance to lead their country on the biggest stage.".
Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux, and all-rounder Grace Harris, have also recovered from their respective injuries. Molineux was forced to pull out of The Hundred after an acute rib fracture received while batting in the off-season, while Harris missed out on the English franchise league because of a calf injury.
However, left-arm spinner Jonassen has found herself out of the mix again despite emerging as the joint highest wicket-taker for Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League and the third highest wicket-taker in The Hundred earlier in the month.
"Once again, Jess Jonassen is unlucky to miss out, but we have been impressed with the way she has bounced back and we will continue to monitor her form ahead of the home summer," said Flegler. She will miss the tournament to come, having played all the earlier five editions in which Australia emerged as champions five times.
Rising star Phoebe Litchfield is set to make an appearance in her first World Cup, with Flegler calling her an "x-factor" to a squad rich in experience.
Australia will play three T20Is against New Zealand next month in the run-up to the T20 World Cup. All-rounder Heather Graham, who won't travel to the UAE, will be the only addition to the squad for the series against New Zealand.
Squad:
Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry,.
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