Opener to captain young side in T20 against England as warm-up matches for women's Ashes are announced
Bolton to lead Governor-General's XI
Australia one-day opener Nicole Bolton has been named skipper of the Governor-General’s XI to face England during the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes tour in November.
The Governor-General’s XI match – inspired by the traditional Prime Minister’s XI game – pits some of the best young female players in Australia against a touring team.
Now in its third year, this summer’s GGXI match will be a T20 at Drummoyne Oval on November 15, played in between between the Test and T20I components of the multi-format Ashes series.
"It’s a real honour to be named captain of the Governor-General’s XI against what will be a challenging England side fresh off a World Cup win," said Bolton, who has previously skippered both Western Australia and Perth Scorchers in domestic cricket, and Australia A before prior to making her international debut.
"I’m excited to see the make-up of our squad (when it is announced), there’s so many talented players across the country so I’m hoping we can put on a real spectacle for the Sydney crowd."
The Governor-General’s XI, featuring the next generation of stars as well as some more established players, will be selected by Cricket Australia in consultation with the Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and will be announced in the lead up to the match.
The Governor-General’s XI match will begin at 6.30pm on November 15, with entry free of charge.
Cricket Australia also announced this summer’s 50-over and three-day Ashes warm-up fixtures for both Australia and England.
Australia will have a chance to acclimatise to Allan Border Field – which will host the opening Ashes ODI on October 22 – when they play a Queensland Fire XI in two 50-over warm-ups on October 16 and 18.
England will prepare against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane on the same dates.
Both teams will also be given a valuable opportunity to adjust to the pink-ball ahead of the first-ever women’s day-night Test, which begins at North Sydney Oval on November 9.
Australia will play a three-day game against an ACT Invitational XI at Canberra’s Manuka Oval, while England head to Blacktown International Sportspark to play a CA XI.
Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes tour matches
50-over matches
16 October – Australia v Queensland Fire, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
16 October – England v Cricket Australia XI, Brisbane (tbc)
18 October – Australia v Queensland Fire, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
18 October – England v Cricket Australia XI, Brisbane (tbc)
Three-day day-night matches
3-5 November - Australia v ACT Invitational XI, Manuka Oval, Canberra
3-5 November - England v Cricket Australia XI, Blacktown International Sportspark, Blacktown
Governor-General’s XI Twenty20
15 November - Governor-General’s XI v England, Drummoyne Oval, Sydney
Schedule
First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22
Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust
Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26
Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29
Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA
Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12
First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17
North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation
Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19
Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21
Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT