Australia recall Lauren Cheatle for New Zealand ODIs
Jonassen had missed the team's ODIs against Pakistan in Malaysia last year as she recovered from injury. Cheatle, 20, last played for the country back in early 2017 and has been rewarded for a strong run in domestic cricket for New South Wales and Sydney Sixers.
Delissa Kimmince has been left out, while fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck, who picked up a knee injury during the Women's Big Bash League, faces more time on the sidelines. Also missing from the 13-member squad is Nicole Bolton, the opener, who is taking a break from the game for personal reasons.
Here's the 🇦🇺 ODI squad to take on the White Ferns from February 22 at the WACA!
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) February 12, 2019
Congratulations to all selected! Grab your tickets here: https://t.co/LXSKfUetyX #WATCHME pic.twitter.com/KYKdqjQPq7
“Nicole in unavailable, continuing her leave taken during the Big Bash, while the decision was made not to rush Tayla back from a knee injury that ruled her out of the back-end of the Big Bash and last round of domestic cricket," said Shawn Flegler, the national selector, announcing the squad on Wednesday, 13 February.
“Lauren Cheatle really impressed on the Australia A tour to India in October, and it’s pleasing to see her back playing regular cricket after a string of injuries and we’re confident that her ability to swing the ball will be a challenge for New Zealand.”
There is a small injury cloud over Elyse Villani, who hurt her hamstring during the end of the WBBL season and has been included in the side subject to fitness.
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Wicket-keeper batter Katey Martin returns to @WHITE_FERNS ODI side for series against Australia.
— ICC (@ICC) February 10, 2019
Details ⬇️https://t.co/1JxghiEsCE pic.twitter.com/71Ho95Ze01
“All progressing as planned, Elyse will tick off the final aspects of her rehabilitation over the next week and we expect that she will be fully fit for the start of the NZ series," Kate Mahony, the team physiotherapist, said.
Australia and New Zealand are to play three Rose Bowl ODIs, on 22 and 24 February, and 3 March, which will also count as their ICC Women's Championship matches. Australia have maintained a stronghold over the Rose Bowl trophy, played between the neighbours, for nearly two decades.
Squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Carey, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani (subject to fitness), Georgia Wareham