15-year-old to take attack to South Africa

A fifteen-year-old leg-spinner is set to line up alongside the likes of Australia stars Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney and Lauren Cheatle in the Governor-General's XI which will meet South Africa in a tour match at Drummoyne Oval on Sunday.

Wagga Wagga teenager Rachel Trenaman – a regional rookie with Rebel Women's Big Bash League club Sydney Thunder – is the youngest member of the 12-player Governor-General's XI squad, joining some of the country's most promising talent including Australian Indigenous captain Ashleigh Gardner and Victorian allrounder Sophie Molineux.

Inspired by the traditional Prime Minister's XI match, the Governor-General’s XI clash pits the best young female players in the country against a touring side and was played for the first time last summer, a clash against India that was ruined by rain.

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars allrounder Perry will captain the side - as revealed in September- in what will be her first major taste of captaincy at international level.

Governor-General's XI squad: Ellyse Perry (captain, NSW/Sixers), Sarah Beard (Australian Defence Force), Sophie Molineux (Vic/Renegades), Beth Mooney (Qld/Heat), Tahlia McGrath (SA/Strikers), Heather Graham (WA/Scorchers), Ashleigh Gardner (NSW/Sixers), Rachel Trenaman (NSW/Thunder), Amanda Wellington (SA/Strikers), Lauren Cheatle (NSW/Thunder), Piepa Cleary (WA/Scorchers), Belinda Vakarewa (NSW/Thunder)

The match will also give Perry and Mooney an early look at the tourists ahead of their five-match one-day international series later this month, while it's an opportunity for 18-year-old quick Cheatle to push her case for selection after missing out on a berth in the 13-player Southern Stars squad for the first three matches of the ODI series.

"The selectors are looking forward to seeing how the next generation of Australian cricketers fare against a strong South African side," National Selector Shawn Flegler said.  

"A number of players have started the season well in WNCL, which is encouraging to see, and we hope that they continue to push for higher honours.

"Rachel Trenaman is an exciting young player and a game like this is a great opportunity for her to play with, and against, some of the best players in the world."

South Australia leg-spinner Amanda Wellington tops the wicket-taking table after two rounds of the Women's National Cricket League with 12 scalps to date, while her Scorpions teammate Tahlia McGrath (9) has also impressed.

WA's Heather Graham sits sixth on the runs table behind the likes of international stars Meg Lanning, Alex Blackwell, Alyssa Healy and ex-England captain Charlotte Edwards.

The important role cricket plays in the armed services will be again be recognised by the selection of Able Seaman Sarah Beard in the Governor-General’s XI, who was also part of the inaugural match last summer.

"With a big summer of cricket ahead, this is an opportunity to see experienced and up-and-coming players test their mettle against the formidable South African team," Governor-General Peter Cosgrove said.

"There is no doubt this match will be a highlight on Australia’s cricketing calendar."

The match will be South Africa's first and only warm-up before their five-match ODI series against the No.1 ranked Australians begins at Canberra's Manuka Oval on November 18.

Entry to the Governor-General’s XI v South Africa match is free with play commencing at 10.30am, Sunday 13 November at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney.

Those unable to make it to the match can watch it live and free on www.cricket.com.au or via the Cricket Australia Live app.