Aussies unchanged in quest for Comm Games gold

20 May 2022 Dave Middleton

Australia have named an unchanged squad for the Commonwealth Games this winter, with the loss of their coach the only change from the one that won the ODI World Cup in April

Australia will begin a new era with an unchanged squad, with the same group that won the ODI World Cup in New Zealand in April heading to Birmingham to chase Commonwealth Games gold this winter.

Shelley Nitschke will take the reins as interim head coach for the tour that also includes a tri-series against Ireland and Pakistan after Matthew Mott's departure to take up a position coaching England's men's white-ball squads.

While there is change in the coaching ranks, the selection of an unchanged squad from the group that dominated the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand means Australia will be red-hot favourites to claim gold in Birmingham.

With Georgia Wareham (ruptured left ACL), Sophie Molineux and Tayla Vlaeminck (both with right foot stress fractures) still on the comeback trail from their respective injuries, selectors had a simple job.

Heather Graham and Georgia Redmayne had both gone to New Zealand as travelling reserves for the World Cup but will not travel with the squad to the UK.

Ellyse Perry is again expected to play as a batter only, like she did in the World Cup final, as she continues to recover from a lower back stress fracture.

Australia's Commonwealth Games squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

"Her availability to bowl will be dependent on her progress in the coming weeks and on the medical advice," team physiotherapist Kate Beerworth said.

"Georgia had an ACL reconstruction in February and is progressing well in the early stages of her rehab. She's working towards a return to play in early 2023.

"Tayla is also progressing well in her rehab after sustaining a navicular stress fracture prior to the Ashes in January. She's been working with The Australian Ballet over the past few months and will continue to progress her rehab using a collaborative approach with Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and Australian Ballet staff.

"Tayla's injury is long-term and she remains unavailable for the tri-series, Commonwealth Games and the WBBL, with no date set for her return at this stage."

Australia's squad will assemble for the first time since Mott's exit at a pair of training camps at the National Cricket Centre in June before they head to Northern Ireland for a tri-series against Ireland and Pakistan.

Image Id: 7E0C08F6DC8C45F190C4B05E704F91F1 Image Caption: Australia have named an unchanged squad from the one that won the ODI World Cup in April // Getty

That will see them play four games in a week before heading to Birmingham, where Meg Lanning will lead Australia's hunt for a first Commonwealth Games medal, with women's T20 making its debut at this year's games in an eight-team competition.

Cricket has featured just once before at the Commonwealth Games, with a men's 50-over tournament played as part of the Kuala Lumpur Games in 1998, where a side captained by Steve Waugh won silver for Australia.

"To be there with athletes from badminton, squash, lawn bowls and a host of other sports is going to be a wonderful new experience for our players to embrace," Lanning said.

"We've all grown up watching the Commonwealth Games on TV, seeing Australian athletes inspire the rest of the country, and we're hoping to do the same."

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Lanning's team has been grouped with India, Pakistan and Barbados for the tournament, while England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka make up the other group.

All Comm Games matches will be played at Edgbaston, a ground where Australia's women have never won, including a defeat to England in the 1973 Women's World Cup final, the inaugural event.

Australia have also had two drawn Tests at the venue, in 1963 and 1976, but have not played there since.

Edgbaston has been a fortress for England's men's team in recent times, although former men's skipper Tim Paine derided that reputation ahead of the opening Test of the 2019 men's Ashes, which the Australians won comfortably.

Nitschke, who has been an assistant with the team since 2018, will have the chance to audition for the top job on the tour.

"Every player that came in made an impact": Lanning

The former Australia allrounder is also the head coach of the Perth Scorchers WBBL side that won the competition last summer, and will again lead the club in WBBL|08 this year before Australia's next engagement in January 2023.

Mott had been at the helm since 2015 in a trophy-laden seven-year tenure that elevated Australia to an unprecedented era of dominance.

"The two series also present Shelley Nitschke with a great opportunity to lead the side having stepped into the interim role of head coach," said Shawn Flegler, Australia women's cricket Head of Performance and National Selector.

"We're in a fortunate position to have some world-class coaches in our system, with both Shelley and assistant coach, Ben Sawyer, contributing to the team's success over the last few years."

Australia's Tour of the UK, 2022

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

T20 Tri-Series

July 16: Australia v Pakistan

July 17: Australia v Ireland

July 19: Ireland v Pakistan

July 21: Australia v Ireland

July 23: Australia v Pakistan

July 24: Ireland v Pakistan

All matches start 3pm local time (midnight AEST) and played at Bready Cricket Club, Derry, Northern Ireland

2022 Commonwealth Games

July 29 v India (11am local time, 8pm AEST)

July 31 v Barbados (6pm local, 3am Aug 1 AEST)

August 3 v Pakistan (11am local, 8pm AEST)

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

Semi-finals: August 6, 11am local (8pm AEST) and 6pm local (3am Aug 7 AEST)

Bronze medal match: August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

Gold medal match: August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium