Stars squads announced

Cricket Australia’s Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today named a 19-player Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad for 2009-10.

This year’s squad signals a new era for Australian women’s cricket with six of the squad aged 19 or under.

Following the extensive build-up to the ICC Women’s World Cup, a number of players have taken the opportunity to pursue other interests in the short term. Departing the list are the retired Emma Sampson (South Australia) and Leonie Coleman (New South Wales), while 2005 World Cup-winner Clea Smith (Victoria) and Renee Chappell (Western Australia) have indicated their unavailability for the next 12 months. Melissa Bulow (Queensland) and Kris Britt (South Australia) are the other omissions from last year’s squad.

Alyssa Healy (New South Wales), Elyse Villani (Victoria) and Rachael Haynes (Victoria) are the newcomers, while World Cup representatives Jessica Cameron and Erin Osborne have been rewarded with a place in the squad for the first time.

WNSP Chair Marg Jennings said the selection of this year’s squad marked an important transition point for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars.

“This year’s squad is one of our youngest ever. While we have lost some experienced players, we believe the squad selected has the ability to perform well for Australia at the upcoming World Twenty20 and beyond,” she said.

“We have taken the opportunity to introduce three new players to the group in Alyssa Healy, Elyse Villani and Rachael Haynes. All three are exciting prospects and deserve their place. Healy also has the added versatility of being a wicket-keeper and she will assume the back-up role to Jodie Fields following the retirement of Leonie Coleman.

“The WNSP believes these players have the potential to play important roles for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars into the future and we look forward to watching their development at international level.

“An important consideration in the selection of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad is the promotion of players from under-21 level into the national program. It’s pleasing that over the last 12 months, Jessica Cameron and Erin Osborne, and now Alyssa and Elyse, have graduated from the junior ranks to the senior squad.

“With World Cup representatives Erin Osborne, Jessica Cameron, Delissa Kimmince, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Ebsary and Rene Farrell still in the early stages of their international careers, we are well-placed to build a squad that will lead Australian women’s cricket into a new era.

“Our experienced players will also play a vital role in the coming 12 months. As the younger players continue to establish themselves, the challenge for the senior members will be to maintain the team’s high level of performance.

“We believe we’ve selected a well-balanced, talented squad that is capable of quickly reversing a disappointing World Cup campaign. The World Twenty20 and series against England will provide an early indication of our progress in this regard.”

AIS Director Peter Fricker said he was extremely proud of the AIS program’s role in the development of women’s cricket.

“Women’s cricket is going from strength to strength in Australia, and with new talent emerging with ever better skills and performance we at the AIS are immensely proud of our contribution to the development of the players,” he said.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad will attend camps at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence (COE) from 24-26 April and 8-10 May before a squad is named to contest the World Twenty20 and a series against world champion England.

The next home engagement for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will be a Rose Bowl Series against New Zealand in early 2010.

The 2009-10 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad is:

Karen Rolton (c) SA
Alex Blackwell (vc) NSW
Kate Blackwell NSW
Jessica Cameron NSW*
Lauren Ebsary WA
Sarah Edwards VIC
Rene Farrell WA
Jodie Fields QLD
Rachael Haynes VIC
Alyssa Healy NSW*
Delissa Kimmince QLD*
Shelley Nitschke SA
Erin Osborne SA*
Ellyse Perry NSW*
Kirsten Pike QLD
Leah Poulton NSW
Lisa Sthalekar NSW
Elyse Villani VIC*

* These players are eligible to play at under-21 level and will also be available for selection in the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad.

AIS Female Scholarships to the COE

In addition to the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad, five players have been selected to attend the COE for four weeks from 24 April – 22 May 2009.

The program is in addition to the AIS/national squad program of camps. The WNSP has selected the following players to participate in this year’s program:

2009-10 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad

Meanwhile, the 2009-10 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars (under-21) squad was also announced today by the WNSP.

The squad is:

Sarah Coyte NSW
Ashleigh Endacott NSW
Katelyn Fryett TAS
Emma Inglis VIC
Jessica Jonassen QLD
Meg Lanning VIC
Renee Melton VIC
Angela Reakes NSW
Kara Sutherland NSW
Selina Tainton QLD
Jo-Ann Verrall QLD
Amanda Williams WA

Rather than holding separate camps, Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad members will be invited to attend Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars camps throughout the year. The aim of the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars program is to provide playing opportunities to squad members and they are expected to play a series of international matches later this year.