ICC U19-W T20 WC 2023: Australia Women U19 squad preview and Fixtures
Preview
The success of Australia’s senior team has made it challenging for young players to gain elite-level experience, but there is a wealth of talent to aim for the first ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup title.
Key Player
Ella Hayward, an all-rounder from Victoria, has established herself as a key player on the domestic scene since making her elite debut in 2020. She has played 30 WBBL matches for the Melbourne Renegades and taken 16 wickets, including a career-best 4-16. She is known for her ability to bowl in the Powerplay and when facing top opposition batters. The Indigenous 19-year-old is also a strong batter and was the top-scorer in this year’s Under 19 Female National Championships. However, her biggest impact at the U19 T20 World Cup may come when working in partnership with the emerging leg-spinner, Amy Smith.
Amy Smith has more WBBL experience than Hayward, having played 35 T20s for the Hobart Hurricanes after debuting for the Tasmanian Tigers at just 14 years old.
Expectations:
Australia’s women’s teams have consistently aimed for top honors over the past decade, and the first U19 T20 World Cup will be no exception. With a majority of the squad already having experience in the WBBL and domestic one-day competitions, they should easily progress through the group stages, which includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the USA. They will undoubtedly face more challenging opponents in the later stages, but failing to reach the final would be unexpected.
Squad
Chloe Ainsworth, Jade Allen, Charis Bekker, Paris Bowdler, Maggie Clark, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth, Eleanor Larosa, Rhys McKenna, Claire Moore, Kate Pelle, Amy Smith, Ella Wilson.
Non-travelling reserves: Paris Hall, Samira Dimeglio, Sara Kennedy, Olivia Henry, Ananaya Sharma.
Schedule:
January 14 v Bangladesh at Benoni
January 16 v USA at Benoni
January 18 v Sri Lanka at Benoni
