Australia have called up two uncapped players for the upcoming women’s Twenty20 international series against New Zealand, after Jess Jonassen was ruled out due to an unfortunately-timed injury.
Victorian leg-spinner Georgia Wareham and fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck, both 19 years old, have been included in a 13-player squad for the three-match series, starting at North Sydney on 29 September.
Both players are on the Melbourne Renegades’ books, but only Wareham has featured in the WBBL, making 26 appearances since first appearing in the competition’s opening season.
Vlaeminck is yet to make her debut after spending last season recovering from a second ACL injury, but she is expected to break through in WBBL03.
“There’s no doubt it’s a big jump up to the international stage but both Tayla and Georgia have come through the National Performance Squad program over the winter,” captain Meg Lanning said. “I’m really confident that’s prepared them very well to come into our side and really contribute.”
Both players took part in the inaugural overseas Under-19 tour and national selector Shawn Flegler said they were ready for the step up.
“We’re really fortunate with the depth we have in particular in the leg-spin department, and we feel that Georgia provides the full package that is required for T20 cricket,” said Flegler. “She’s an outstanding fielder and her bowling has really progressed over the last 12 months.
“Tayla is a little bit different to anyone else around the country, she’s been unlucky with injury over the last few years, but she’s come back and has performed at the right time. Tayla has the attributes to be that key strike bowler who can take early wickets, she’s young and competitive.”
Jonassen, a veteran of over 100 international appearances, misses out after sustaining a knee injury in Australia’s internal trial match on the Gold Coast this week.
She will undergo arthroscopic surgery later this week, with no timeframe yet set for the spinner’s return to action.
After the North Sydney Oval clash, Australia and New Zealand will meet at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on 1 October before wrapping up the series in Canberra, at Manuka Oval on 5 October.
Australia: Nicola Carey (Sydney Thunder), Ashleigh Gardner (Sydney Sixers), Rachael Haynes (vice captain) (Sydney Thunder), Alyssa Healy (Sydney Sixers), Delissa Kimmince (Brisbane Heat), Meg Lanning (captain) (Perth Scorchers), Sophie Molineux (Melbourne Renegades), Beth Mooney (Brisbane Heat), Ellyse Perry (Sydney Sixers), Megan Schutt (Adelaide Strikers), Elyse Villani (Perth Scorchers), Tayla Vlaeminck (Melbourne Renegades), Georgia Wareham (Melbourne Renegades)
