FIRE TRIO OFF TO WORLD CUP |
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The Konica Minolta Queensland Fire's WNCL one-day form surge has propelled three players into the Australian squad for the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India. Fire captain Jodie Fields will again lead her country at international level, while allrounder Jess Jonassen and young pace bowler Holly Ferling were also named. Fields and Jonassen (pictured) both played in the Final of the ICC Womens WT20 World Cup in Sri Lanka earlier this year, when Australia defended its title with its defeat of arch rivals England. Ferling, 17, from Kingaroy, is in line to make her Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars debut during the World Cup. The Fire's recent winning efforts in the one-day arena would brought a number of players to the national selectors' notice, with impressive young batter Beth Mooney and allrounder Delissa Kimmince both in great touch so far this summer. The Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) announced a 15-player squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup India 2013, which starts next month. The tournament will take place from 31 January – 17 February, 2013 at four venues in Mumbai. The squad for the ICC Women’s World Cup India 2013 is: Jodie Fields (c) QLD Alex Blackwell (vc) NSW Jess Cameron VIC Sarah Coyte NSW Holly Ferling QLD Rachael Haynes NSW Alyssa Healy NSW Julie Hunter VIC Jess Jonassen QLD Meg Lanning VIC Erin Osborne NSW Ellyse Perry NSW Megan Schutt SA Lisa Sthalekar NSW Elyse Villani VIC Commenting on the squad, Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) Chair of Selectors Julie Savage said: “The WNSP have selected a powerful and well-balanced squad to contest the ICC Women's World Cup India 2013. “Recent international matches suggest this will be a very closely contested event. England, as the number one ranked team, will be the tournament favourites, but the recent form of a resurgent New Zealand, as well as India on their home turf and the powerfully athletic West Indian team will provide tough contests throughout the entire event. “The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will need to perform strongly and consistently across all disciplines. Our batting line-up has been in good form, led by the record-breaking feats of Meg Lanning. The recent retirement of Leah Poulton from ODIs opens the way for hard-hitting Victorian batter Elyse Villani to join the squad. Elyse has been one of highest run-scorers in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) this season, scoring those runs at an excellent strike rate. “Our spin attack will be led by experienced all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar. Lisa was a key part of Australia's ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2012 victory in Sri Lanka earlier this season with her wily use of variation and ability to dry up the scoring rate. “Coming into the squad to support the experienced pace trio of Ellyse Perry, Julie Hunter and Sarah Coyte is South Australian Megan Schutt. Megan made her international debut in the recent Rose Bowl Series against New Zealand and was impressive. The explosive young Queensland quick Holly Ferling completes the pace line-up,” Savage said. The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will also play two warm-up matches prior to the start of the tournament: Date Opponent Venue Start Time (Local Time) Monday 28 January, 2013 v West Indies Middle Income Group Ground (MIG) 9.00am Tuesday 29 January, 2013 v India Wankhede Stadium 9.00am |
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