The world champions Australia will face Bangladesh at Allan Border Field on 9, 11 and 14 October in the ICC Women’s Championship. The series will be Australia’s first since they lifted the T20 World Cup in July.
Sophie Molineux has been named in the 14-member squad but will miss the Bangladesh series as she continues her recovery from a hip injury. Tahlia McGrath will lead Australia in her absence.
Australia are hopeful Molineux will return for the three-match T20I series against New Zealand, which begins in Sydney on 18 October.
The hosts will also be without two fast bowlers against Bangladesh. Lucy Hamilton has been ruled out with a quad injury, while Darcie Brown is unavailable because of a back problem.
The same group has been selected for the New Zealand T20I series, although Australia will make changes to their ODI squad after the current round of the Women’s National Cricket League.
The Bangladesh series will also serve as an important part of Australia’s preparation for next year’s ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in India. National selector Shawn Flegler expects Bangladesh’s bowling attack to provide a useful test for Australia’s batters.
“Bangladesh will be a really good test, particularly with the quality they have in their bowling attack. It’s also a great opportunity for our batters to get exposure to subcontinent-style bowling ahead of the Champions Trophy in India,” Flegler said.
Australia’s squad includes several of their biggest names, with Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King and Megan Schutt all selected.
Australia women’s squad: Sophie Molineux, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll and Georgia Wareham.
