Victoria name squad for WNCL return

Nicole Faltum will captain Victoria for the remainder of the season, stepping in for Sophie Molineux who ruptured her ACL during the Women’s Big Bash League season.

Meg Lanning will return to the field for the first time since taking a break from cricket following the Commonwealth Games in August. Lanning’s return will see her playing two matches for Victoria before captaining Australia in the upcoming one-day international series against Pakistan later this month.

Fellow Australian representatives Annabel Sutherland, Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth have also been named in the squad as they prepare to take on Pakistan.

Georgia Wareham has been named to play her first match in over 12 months after recovering from an ACL injury that has kept her out since October 2021.

Rhys Mckenna and Ella Hayward were unavailable for selection after being selected in Australia’s U19s World Cup squad which will begin in South Africa on January 14.

Makinley Blows has retired from state cricket with immediate effect after making her Victorian debut in the 2016-17 season, Blows also played 29 WBBL matches across the Melbourne Renegades and Stars.

Cricket Victoria’s Head of Female Cricket, Sharelle McMahon said it was exciting to have so much talent named in the Victorian squad.

“It’s going to be fantastic to have both Meg and Georgia back on the field for Victoria, especially against NSW in a match that will have a so much international experience,” McMahon said.

“We’ve seen first-hand how hard Georgia has worked in her rehabilitation, so to see her back on the field is a great reward.

“It’s always exciting to have our Australian players represent Victoria, we’re fortunate to have them around the group for these matches as they prepare to take on Pakistan.

“It’s also really pleasing to have our Victorian players recognised with selection in the Australian U19 World Cup squad, having Ella and Rhys in the squad is fantastic but it’s equally exciting to see Milly Illingworth and Paris Bowdler selected who are involved with our Emerging Performance Program.”

Squad:
Nicole Faltum (c)
Tiana Atkinson
Sam Bates
Sophie Day
Tess Flintoff
Kim Garth
Olivia Henry
Meg Lanning
Rhiann O’Donnell
Ellyse Perry
Sophie Reid
Annabel Sutherland
Georgia Wareham

WNCL
Victoria vs New South Wales
January 5 & 7, 10:00 am AEDT
CitiPower Centre, St. Kilda
Live on Kayo Sport & cricket.com.au