Australia Women announce squad for New Zealand white-ball tour

Teenage fast bowlers Darcie Brown and Hannah Darlington in line for debuts while Tayla Vlaeminck returns after 12 months out injured

Uncapped teenage fast bowlers Darcie Brown and Hannah Darlington have been called up to Australia’s squad for their upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Tayla Vlaeminck, who sat out the past 12 months with a serious foot injury, is also included in the 17-player squad.

Australia are scheduled to play three T20s and three ODIs against New Zealand, beginning in Hamilton on March 28, and have selected a squad with one eye on next year’s Cricket World Cup (hosted by New Zealand) and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Vlaeminck returned to action for Victoria earlier in February and took 4-16 from eight overs in a recent match against Australian Capital Territory. 17-year old Brown, meanwhile, impressed for Adelaide Strikers in this season’s WBBL and, bowling at speeds of 125kph, adds depth to Australia’s pace attack.

Commenting on the pace pair and the fitness of Ellyse Perry, national selector Shawn Flegler, said: "[Vlaeminck] has been working her way back to full fitness in the WNCL with Victoria and we’ve already seen some devastating spells from her.

^{Tayla Vlaeminck returns for Australia after missing the past 12 months through injury}

"Similarly, Ellyse Perry has been making solid progress in her return from a hamstring injury and we look forward to her taking part in this series after not featuring against New Zealand in September and October.

"Darcie enjoyed an excellent WBBL campaign with the Adelaide Strikers and has also made a great start to the WNCL with the SA Scorpions. Her ability to bowl fast outswing makes her an exciting prospect at just 17 years old."

Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year winner, Hannah Darlington, is the other potential debutant in the side. The 19-year old pace bowler, who is on track to become the third Indigenous woman to represent Australia, took 19 wickets for Sydney Thunder in this season’s WBBL and is seen as a player for the future.

“"We also welcome Hannah Darlington into the squad after playing a crucial part in the Sydney Thunder’s WBBL06 championship," Flegler said.

"She has been brought into the squad primarily with a T20 focus as we look towards both the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa."

Several players are missing for Australia, including veteran bowler Delissa Kimmince who announced in January she was taking a break from the game. Maitlin Brown misses out after suffering a hamstring injury during the Big Bash while spinner Molly Strano and allrounder Erin Burns are also absent.

Australia head into the series with their sight’s set on a 22nd consecutive ODI win to take sole ownership of the world record they share with Ricky Ponting’s 2003 side. Australia have won their last nine ODIs against New Zealand and have held the Rose Bowl, the trophy awarded for one-day series between the two sides, since 2000.

Australia ODI & T20I Squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Belinda Vakarewa, Tayla Vlaeminck