MELBOURNE: The Australian team for the first-ever ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup was announced by Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday. It includes a number of young players who have excelled in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).

Following the end of the 2022/23 Under-19 Female National Championships in Perth on Monday, the Youth Selection Panel chose a 15-player roster. The Australian team will be managed by head coach Sarah Aley and her assistant coaches Erin Osborne and Dulip Samaraweera. The team consists of eight players with domestic experience.
Along with leg-spin all-rounder Amy Smith, who frequently plays for Hobart Hurricanes and Tasmania, Australia's team also contains off-spin all-rounder Ella Hayward, who has established herself as a staple with Melbourne Renegades and Victoria.

Along with left-arm pacer Lucy Hamilton, who made her WBBL debut for Brisbane Heat in the eighth season, fast bowler Rhys McKenna is under contract to Melbourne Stars and Victoria. Paris Bowdler, the Renegades' wicketkeeper, also had WBBL experience.

Darcie Brown and Phoebe Litchfield, two current Australia senior cricketers who are 19 years old, as well as WBBL young stars Georgia Voll, Tess Flintoff, and Charli Knott, are not eligible for selection because the CA also stated that players must be 18 years old or younger on August 31, 2022, in order to be eligible for the tournament.

"The quality on display at the Under 19 Female National Championships this year has been impressive. Players have a fantastic opportunity for growth during the Under-19 World Cup, and we are eager to see our team compete there." "Many of the players in our squad have played in professional cricket settings, but the final World Cup roster was chosen based on overall performances in a range of tournaments. There were unavoidably difficult selection decisions, but we'll keep supporting and keeping an eye on everyone's growth in our route systems "said Shawn Flegler, Head of Women's Performance at Cricket Australia.

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