Aussie women unchanged for home summer

Australia will stick to a winning formula for the beginning of the women’s cricket home summer, naming an unchanged squad for their series against Sri Lanka.

Selectors on Wednesday unveiled the same squad that recently defeated the West Indies, for the three Twenty20s and one-day internationals starting on Sunday.

It means spinner Sophie Molineux continues to be rested with a shoulder injury, while allrounder Heather Graham remains a chance of a debut after going uncapped in the Caribbean.

The matches begin a huge summer for the Australian women, culminating in the home Twenty20 World Cup defence in February and March.

“With the T20 World Cup just under five months away it’s crucial to find some consistency in the T20 squad, and we feel like we have that which is pleasing,” chief selector Shaun Flegler said.

“Sri Lanka is an up and coming side and will provide a good challenge across both formats, with the series also presenting the team with the opportunity to fine tune its preparations ahead of that World Cup.”

Australia have never lost to Sri Lanka in 10 matches across all formats.

They play three T20s at North Sydney on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, before three ODIs in Brisbane.

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.

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