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Nicole Bolton added to Australia’s World T20 squad
The Australian selectors have kept faith with the core group of players that beat New Zealand 3-0 recently.
09 October 2018 • 9:28 AM
Nicole Bolton is in line to play her third T20I. @Getty
ODI opener Nicole Bolton features in Australia’s 15-member squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 in the West Indies next month, as does the allrounder Jess Jonassen who will remain closely monitored by the Southern Stars’ medical team as she continues her recovery from injury.
The Australian selectors have kept faith with the core group of players that beat New Zealand 3-0 recently, with the addition of Bolton who played the last of her two T20Is in 2016. The 29-year-old has been included after a strong campaign for Perth Scorchers in the previous Rebel WBBL (482 runs at 32.13) and for Lancashire Lightning in the Women’s Super League in England this summer.
“There’s only two players that come into the ODI and T20 sides that didn’t take part in the recent series against New Zealand, which is really pleasing as it means we have a stable playing group who are gelling really well,” National Selector Shawn Flegler said. “Nicole’s generally been considered a 50-over player but she’s put in a lot of work to improve her short-form game and its evident in her recent T20 form.”
The selectors are hopeful that Jonassen, who underwent knee surgery last month, will be fit for the Women’s WT20. “Jess is recovering well from her knee injury and will join the squad in Malaysia, with the aim to have her playing in the two warm-up matches in the West Indies,” said Flagler.
The Australian Women’s ODI squad for three matches with Pakistan Women in Malaysia this month resembles the T20I unit. The three changes are the absence of Jonassen and the exclusion of spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington and pacer Belinda Vakarewa. Georgia Wareham and the uncapped pace bowler Tayla Vlaeminck have been included in the ODI squad for the first time and there is a recall for the Queensland allrounder Delissa Kimmince who last played an ODI in 2014.
“The three ODIs are crucial in making sure we stay at the top of the ICC Women’s Championship table with an eye on the next 50-over World Cup, and a successful series will give the group great confidence heading to the West Indies,” Flegler said. “This is an exciting group of players who’ve played some very good cricket in the T20 format in particular, over the last six months, and with injection of some youth we believe this group has the right attributes to have a successful World Cup.”
The first ODI between Australia and Pakistan is at Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Australia World T20 squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes (v/c), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen (subject to fitness), Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
Australia ODI squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes (v/c), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham