Jonassen injured, pair bolt into T20 squad

Australia have included two uncapped bolters in their squad to play New Zealand in the Commonwealth Bank Women’s T20 International series beginning later this month, but have been dealt a major blow in the form of an injury to spinner Jess Jonassen.

Jonassen suffered a knee injury during intra-squad warm-up matches on the Gold Coast over the weekend and will undergo arthroscopic surgery later this week, a worrying sign for the Australians less than two months out from the start of their World T20 campaign in the Caribbean.

The time it will take the 25-year-old to recover from is expected to become clearer following surgery.

Australia T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

The left-arm spinner sits No.7 in the ICC’s T20 bowling rankings and is one of Australia’s most experienced players, having been a constant presence in the Southern Stars XI in recent years. 

Victorians Georgia Wareham and Tayla Vlaeminck are in line for international debuts, meanwhile, after being included in the 13-player group to meet the White Ferns in three T20Is, beginning on September 29.

Wareham, a 19-year-old leg-spinner from Mortlake in Victoria’s west, has been a part of Cricket Australia’s National Performance Squad, alongside fast bowler and Renegades teammate Vlaeminck.

Vlaeminck’s rise to the national squad is particularly impressive given what the 19-year-old quick has already endured in her short career; she has recovered from two knee reconstructions and a dislocated shoulder – all suffered in the space of three years – to put herself in line for an international debut.

Three players are absent from the group that claimed a T20 tri-series win over England and India in March; Jonassen, leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington and batter Naomi Stalenberg.

Wellington, 21, played three games in India but was bowled sparingly, while NSW and Thunder batter Stalenberg didn’t play a match. Both will have a chance to force their way back into the main squad for the World T20 after being named in a Cricket Australia XI to play both Australia and New Zealand in warm-up matches ahead of the series opener.

The T20 series against fierce rivals New Zealand begins with a blockbuster Saturday night match at North Sydney Oval on September 29 that will be broadcast on the Seven Network and Fox Sports immediately following the Australian Football League grand final. That match will be followed by games at Brisbane’s AB Field (October 1) and Canberra’s Manuka Oval (October 5).

The series will serve as crucial preparation ahead of the World T20 in the Caribbean in November. Thirteen players have been chosen to take on New Zealand, but an extended group of 15 will fly to Guyana for the tournament.

Speaking to cricket.com.au last Friday, Australia coach Matthew Mott said the selectors had a clear plan about the players who would be part of their World T20 campaign.

“The selectors are pretty strong on the 15 they have in mind, but obviously I can’t divulge that at the moment,” Mott said.

“There’s not a lot of room for change, we’re reasonably confident with what we need.

“This team hasn’t been thrown together, it’s been evolving over time so the selection is pretty strong on the make-up of that team already.”

The Cricket Australia XI to play Australia and New Zealand in warm-up games at Manly Oval on September 27 will be skippered by Australia ODI opener Nicole Bolton, and features a host of NPS members in Heather Graham, Rachael Trenaman, Tahlia McGrath, Josie Dooley, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Belinda Vakarewa and Annabel Sutherland.

Meanwhile, New Zealand have announced Amy Satterthwaite will lead the White Ferns against Australia after long-time skipper Suzie Bates stood down from the captaincy.

Bates has relinquished the role after six years in charge, allowing Satterthwaite to take the reins. 

Australia T20 squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Cricket Australia XI: Nicole Bolton (c), Naomi Stalenberg, Heather Graham, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia McGrath, Josie Dooley, Molly Strano, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Belinda Vakarewa, Annabel Sutherland

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

September 29: First T20I, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra