Faltum to lead Governor-General's XI against NZ

Nicole Faltum will lead a mix of established stars and up-and-coming talent in next week's Governor-General's XI T20 match against New Zealand.

A 13-player squad has been named for the October 15 game at North Sydney Oval, with Australia quick Lucy Hamilton included as she makes her return from the quad injury that had ruled her out of the upcoming ODIs against Bangladesh.

Governor-General's XI v New Zealand

 

Thursday, October 15, North Sydney Oval, 7:05pm AEDT

 

Squad: Chloe Ainsworth, Caoimhe Bray, Nicole Faltum (c), Lucy Finn, Hasrat Gill, Lucy Hamilton, Charli Knott (vc), Anika Learoyd, Frankie Nicklin, Filippa SueSee, Rachel Trenaman, Tayla Vlaeminck, Lieutenant Meera Hyderabad (Australian Defence Force)

Chloe Ainsworth, who received her first Cricket Australia contract earlier this year, has been named, with the Governor-General's XI group also featuring six members of the Australia A squad that recently returned from a multi-format tour of India: Faltum, fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck, batters Anika Learoyd and Rachel Trenaman, off-spinner Frankie Nicklin and Queensland allrounder Charli Knott.

This will be the second time Faltum has led the GG's XI, having also held the honour against England in early 2025, with last season's skipper, Knott, appointed vice-captain.

First-time GGs selections include Nicklin alongside allrounders Caoimhe Bray, Hasrat Gill and Queensland's 17-year-old rookie-contracted Filippa SueSee.

The side will also feature Lieutenant Meera Hyderabad, a wicketkeeper-batter and Artillery Officer in the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery.

"For these players, matches against an international side are an invaluable chance to challenge themselves at a higher level and gain experience in an environment that replicates the demands of international cricket," Cricket Australia's head of performance and national selector Shawn Flegler said.

"There's a really exciting mix of youth and experience in the squad, with players who have performed strongly at domestic level getting the opportunity to test themselves against one of the world's leading teams."

With NZ led by skipper Amelia Kerr, the match will offer a look at the White Ferns' new era following the retirements of three greats of the game – Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu – at the end of the T20 World Cup in July.

In recent years, the GG's match has been held in the lead-up to a major multi-format series in January or February. With it scheduled at the start of the season in 2026-27, the game will coincide with the T20 Spring Challenge – the domestic T20 tournament that runs ahead of the Weber WBBL, featuring all eight clubs alongside the ACT – meaning the vast majority of the country's contracted female players will be in Sydney.

The GG's XI match is a free, non-ticketed event and will be broadcast live on Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket. 

For the third consecutive summer, the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, will lead the GG's XI.

"I’m really pleased with the team we've been able to put together and that Nicole has again agreed to lead the side and am equally excited to give Lieutenant Meera Hyderabad the opportunity to take part alongside such accomplished players," Mostyn said. 

"The inclusion of Lucy Hamilton and Tayla Vlaeminck is terrific, to have players of international calibre to compliment an exciting group of up-and-coming stars."

NRMA Insurance Women's ODI Series v Bangladesh

All women's international matches will be shown live on Seven, 7Plus, Kayo Sports and Foxtel

First ODI: Friday, October 9 (D/N)

Second ODI: Sunday, October 11 (D/N)

Third ODI: Wednesday, October 14 (D/N)

* All matches played at Allan Border Field, Brisbane, starting at 2:50pm AEDT

Australia ODI squad: Tahlia McGrath (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

Bangladesh ODI squad: Nigar Sultana (c), Nahida Akter, Shorna Akter, Marufa Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Sarmin Sultana, Sharmin Akter, Sanjida Akther, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Farzana Haque, Disha Biswas, Murshida Khatun, Habiba Islam

NRMA Insurance Women's T20 Series v New Zealand

First T20I: Sunday, October 18

Second T20I: Tuesday, October 20

Third T20I: Thursday, October 22

* All matches played at North Sydney Oval starting at 7:15pm AEDT

Australia T20I squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

New Zealand T20I squad: Melie Kerr (c), Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis (wk), Bella James, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp