Australia hand surprise call-up to Annabel Sutherland for T20 World Cup title defence

The addition of the 18-year-old allrounder is one of just two changes to the squad that won the tournament in the West Indies in November 2018

• Women's T20 World Cup 2020 squads: Full team lists

Australia have announced their squad for next month's T20 World Cup, with the call-up of uncapped teenager Annabel Sutherland the headline news.

Sutherland, 18, joins the defending champions after an impressive WBBL campaign with Melbourne Stars earned her a maiden outing with the Australia A side against their Indian counterparts in December.

The allrounder flourished particularly in the 50-over matches at Allan Border Field, scoring a run-a-ball 52 on debut and finishing with figures of 4-26 in 6.1 overs with her right-arm seamers in the following game.

"I'd literally just woken up and saw [the selector's name] on my phone. It was a bit of a shock, it's still sinking in at the moment," Sutherland told cricket.com.au.

"When I saw mum, she said it was the first time she'd seen dad [James, the chief executive of Cricket Australia between 2001 and 2018] cry in 54 years.

"He's just really excited and I guess we are all really supportive of each other and want everyone to do well."

Sutherland is one of just two players brought in from outside the 15-strong squad that triumphed in the 2018 tournament, with ACT and Sydney Sixers allrounder Erin Burns also coming in after making her maiden international appearances for her country against the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the autumn.

Having fallen out of favour during last summer's Ashes victory in England, Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani are the two players to miss out from the team captained by Meg Lanning two years ago.

In the West Indies tournament, Bolton did not feature during the team's run to the final, while top-order bat Villani averaged single figures across the tournament.

^{Meg Lanning's side will be targeting their fifth title as they play the tournament on home soil}

The 15-woman squad will also host a tri-series with England and India in early February, before Australia open the tournament proper against India at the Sydney Showground Stadium on February 21.

Shawn Flegler, the national selector, commented: "This was an incredibly difficult side to pick with selectors looking at the overall mix of the squad and the roles required, and we feel we've got great cover for all teams and scenarios.

"We've had a really stable squad over the last few years and having players such as Molly Strano, Tahlia McGrath, Belinda Vakarewa and Heather Graham miss out illustrates the depth of Australian cricket. All four of these players are really unlucky to miss out but at the same time could come into the side at any stage and play a role.

"We're really pleased for Annabel Sutherland, who has been playing domestic cricket for a few years now, as well as being a part of Australia A and Under-19 sides. She has progressed significantly over the past few months.

"Anyone who has seen her play will know how special a talent she is, and we know that if called upon she'll be able to play a variety of roles in the side. This will be another terrific experience for someone who we see as the future of Australian cricket.

"It's also really pleasing to welcome Sophie Molineux back into the side, having spent some time out of the game for mental health reasons and getting her shoulder right.

"Sophie made herself available for both tours and we'll continue to manage her health as we go along. Her health is our number one priority."

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham