Meg Lanning returns to lead Australia on tour of India

Meg Lanning has returned as the captain of Australia Women after a lengthy lay-off, while Rachael Haynes has been named her deputy following Alex Blackwell’s retirement, for the upcoming limited-overs tour of India.

Two squads of 14 players each have been named for the three-match one-day international series against India and the triangular T20I series also involving England. The three ODIs against the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 runners-up are part of the ICC Women’s Championship.

Lanning last turned out for Australia during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 semi-final, scoring an eight-ball duck as India won by 36 runs to qualify for the final. Soon after that, she underwent surgery on a troublesome shoulder and was forced to miss the Ashes series at home against England, which Australia won under Haynes.

“Meg’s rehab has been progressing well, she’s back to her old self with the bat and with a few weeks until the first match, we’re confident she’ll be right to play when the times comes,” said Shawn Flegler, the CA national selector for women. “Meg will resume the captaincy and we’re extremely fortunate to have Rach as her deputy after doing a fantastic job as stand-in skipper during the Women’s Ashes. She’ll be a great sounding board for Meg and will continue to drive the standards of the team.”

Missing from the touring parties is Tahlia McGrath, the all-rounder who is down with a back problem, while Molly Strano and Kristen Beams, the spinners, and Sarah Aley, the pacer, were left out.

Sophie Molineux, the 20-year-old left-arm spinning all-rounder, and Nicola Carey, the right-arm pacer, were included in both the squads, and Belinda Vakarewa and Naomi Stalenberg, both right-arm medium pacers, were named in the ODI and T20I set-ups respectively.

“Sophie is a really exciting youngster that has shown immense talent as a batter and spin bowler and someone who the selectors have had their eyes on for a while,” said Flegler. “She’s been a standout especially in the Women’s Big Bash and this tour will give her the opportunity to get a taste of the Australian set-up in what will be some challenging Indian conditions.

“We’ve been pleased with the progress of Naomi and Belinda this season, they’ve both had a taste of playing at an international level and this tour will give them the chance to impress and benefit from an overseas tour. Nicola has already been to two World Cups with Australia so she’s no stranger to this level. She’s showed strong domestic form and has earned her spot in both sides.”

There have been changes to the coaching staff too, with CA announcing Shelley Nitschke and Ashley Noffke, both former internationals, as “assistant coaches in lieu of outgoing coaches Tim Coyle and Joe Dawes”.

“There’s no doubt this is going to be a really tough tour against an India side who is playing some great cricket and of course the world champions England. The ODIs are crucial in terms of World Cup qualification and the tri-series will give us a good indication of where the team is at with the T20 game,” said Flegler.

**ODI squad:**Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes (vice-capt), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

T20I squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes (vice-capt), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Naomi Stalenberg, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

Schedule6 March: Warm-up match vs India A, BKC Ground, Mumbai
8 March: Warm-up match vs India A, BKC Ground, Mumbai

ODI series
12 March: First ODI, Vadodara International Cricket Stadium*
15 March: Second ODI, Vadodara International Cricket Stadium*
18 March: Third ODI, Vadodara International Cricket Stadium*
* ICC Women’s Championship matches

T20I tri-series
22 March: India vs Australia, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
23 March: Australia vs England, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
25 March: India vs England, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
26 March: India vs Australia, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
28 March: Australia vs England, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
29 March: India vs England, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
31 March: Final, Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai