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Southern Stars name ODI squad for SA

Osborne misses out as selectors name 13 player squad for upcoming ODI series, beginning November 18

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have named a 13-player squad for the first three matches of their upcoming one-day international series against South Africa, with off-spinner Erin Osborne missing out from the 14-player group that toured Sri Lanka in September.

Teenage fast bowler Lauren Cheatle is the other contracted Southern Star missing from the squad, having recently completed her Year 12 exams earlier this month.

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Alex Blackwell (vc), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Rene Farrell, Holly Ferling, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani.

While the pair will miss the first three matches, to be played at Manuka Oval (November 18 and 20) and North Sydney Oval (November 23), they – and other in-form Women's National Cricket League players – could come into contention for the final two matches of the series, to be played in Coffs Harbour.

Quick single: Mott calls for Stars to up the ante against SA

With Australia completing a series whitewash over Sri Lanka in September, coach Matthew Mott had indicated he expected the squad to "go close to picking itself".

Since returning home from Sri Lanka, the Australian players have also been in outstanding form in the Women's National Cricket League.

Australia skipper Meg Lanning already has two tons under her belt for the summer – including a record-breaking domestic score of 190 – while Ellyse Perry (103), Alyssa Healy (159) and Alex Blackwell (113*) also reached triple figures in the first two rounds of the WNCL season.

Incredible Lanning blasts 190 in Hobart

Quick Holly Ferling and spinners Grace Harris and Jess Jonassen have all turned in player-of-the-match performances, while Megan Schutt and Kristen Beams have been the league's most economical bowlers to date.

"The NSP has been pleased with the form shown by the players in the early rounds of the WNCL with all players amongst the runs and wickets for their state sides," National Selector Shawn Flegler said.

There is one concern for the Australian camp, with Ellyse Perry managing a knee injury. The swollen bursa is said to be more annoying than painful for the allrounder, but it did see her rested for the first three matches of NSW's WNCL season, while she did not bowl in her one appearance to date.

Perry is however expected to be fit and firing with both bat and ball for the Governor-General's XI tour game against South Africa on Sunday, in which she will skipper the home team.

Quick single: Perry injury won't derail summer

Players on the cusp of national selection will also have an opportunity to prove themselves in the GG XI game – with the GG XI squad to be named tomorrow (Wednesday) – while a team of up-and-comers will also put the Southern Stars through their paces in a practice match at Manuka Oval on November 15.

The squad for the final two ODIs will be named after the final round of the WNCL on November 18-19.

"We have left the door open for other players to continue to press for selection in the final two games with strong performances in the third round of the WNCL," Flegler said.

Stars v Staff in Hybrid epic

The first three ODIs of the series will count towards the ICC Women's Championship.

Australia have already taken an unassailable lead in the inaugural competition and will be presented the Championship Trophy following the third ODI at North Sydney Oval on November 23, while South Africa need to win all three matches and rely on other results to finish in the top four and gain automatic World Cup qualification.

Entry to all five day-night matches is FREE, with all the action to be streamed live on cricket.com.au and on the Cricket Australia LIVE App.

Australia v South Africa ODIs


18 November: Manuka Oval, Canberra*


20 November: Manuka Oval, Canberra*


23 November: North Sydney Oval, Sydney*


27 November: Coffs Harbour International Stadium, Coffs Harbour


29 November: Coffs Harbour International Stadium, Coffs Harbour


* ICC Women's Championship matches