Lanning and Vlaeminck return as Victoria name extended 16-player squad

Batter Meg Lanning and fast-bowler Tayla Vlaeminck headline the inclusions as they both are set to make their return to cricket.

Vlaeminck is in line to play her first game for Victoria since December 2021, while Lanning, who announced her retirement from international cricket last year, is in contention to play her fourth WNCL game of the year.

Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham, back from Australia’s tour of India, will join up with the squad for its second game of the week against the Comets on Thursday.

Cricket Victoria’s Head of Female Cricket, Sharelle McMahon, said the team were thrilled to welcome Vlaeminck and Lanning back as they looked to continue their winning form into the new year.

“It is fantastic to be able to have Meg and Tayla back in a playing capacity,” McMahon said.

“Tayla has worked incredibly hard to get back into a position to play cricket again. She has been so positive and resilient throughout her injury and we can’t wait to see her back out there.

“Meg is a legend of our game and a legend of Victorian cricket – we’re excited to have her back out on the field in the navy blue and playing cricket for Victoria again.

“We’ll also welcome back Ellyse and Georgia for our second game against ACT after they returned from a successful tour of India.

“It is a big week for the girls after we put together two fantastic wins against the Breakers before Christmas. We’ll be looking to replicate that with strong performances against the Comets next week.”

Squad:
Sophie Molineux – C (Dandenong)
Sophie Day – (Prahran)
Nicole Faltum (Dandenong)
Tess Flintoff (Ringwood)
Poppy Garner (Dandenong)
Ella Hayward (Melbourne)
Olivia Henry (Prahran)
Milly Illingworth (Essendon-Maribrynong Park)
Meg Lanning (Box Hill)
Jasmine Nevins (Plenty Valley)
Rhiann O’Donnell (Melbourne)
Ellyse Perry (Dandenong)
Georgia Prestwidge (Melbourne)
Sophie Reid (Prahran)
Tayla Vlaeminck (Plenty Valley)
Georgia Wareham (Essendon-Maribrynong Park)

WNCL:
Victoria v ACT Comets
Tuesday 16th & Thursday 18th December
CitiPower Centre, St Kilda
Coverage: cricket.com.au & Kayo Sports