Australia announces Men's and Women's ICC World Twenty20 squads
Cricket Australia today announced its squad for the ICC World Twenty20, part of the Australia men's cricket team's Tour of England, as well as naming the women's squad for the ICC World Twenty20. The men's and women's ICC World Twenty20 competitions will be held simultaneously from 5-21 June.
Ricky Ponting will captain the men's squad for the ICC World Twenty20. Karen Rolton will lead the women's side for the ICC World Twenty20 but will step-down from the captaincy at the end of the tournament, before continuing on as a member of the Australia squad for the following series against England in England.
The 15-player Australia men's squad for the ICC World Twenty20 is:
Age
Ricky Ponting (c) 34
Michael Clarke (vc) 28
Nathan Bracken 31
Brad Haddin 31
Nathan Hauritz 27
Ben Hilfenhaus 26
James Hopes 30
David Hussey 31
Mike Hussey 33
Mitchell Johnson 27
Brett Lee 32
Peter Siddle 24
Andrew Symonds 33
David Warner 22
Shane Watson 27
Commenting on the squad, National Selection Panel Chairman Andrew Hilditch said: "We believe we've got a strong squad here that, if it plays to its potential, has the ability to win the tournament.
"Building up to this selection, Shane Watson has returned to the one-day side and performed extra well with the bat in the series in the UAE. He'll return to bowling in Thursday's T20 game there and adds strength and versatility to the side.
"At his best, Andrew Symonds is one of the best T20 players in the world. In limited opportunities in the UAE he showed, during game two, his ability to win games for Australia. He also adds versatility to our squad.
"Nathan Hauritz is the specialist spinner in the side. Nathan has made great progress in limited overs cricket to become a regular member of the side during series' in South Africa and the UAE. Spin is having a significant impact on T20 cricket worldwide and Nathan is well placed to play a significant role in this tournament.
"Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle have both had their workloads managed in advance of upcoming international cricket. They are both very important members of the Australian bowling group and their return will add significant strength to the side.
"Brett Lee is progressing well and will return to international cricket in Thursday's T20 game against Pakistan. We expect it will take him a few games to regain his rhythm after the extended break but the medical and coaching staff are very confident Brett will be back to his best for this tournament.
"We've picked a strong batting group with a mix of stroke players and players capable of being very destructive. David Hussey is an important part of our plans and displayed his credentials in the first international T20 against South Africa in South Africa recently. His fielding is sharp and he gives us good overs in T20 cricket.
"David Warner is an example of a player added for his specific skills in T20 cricket and has the ability to give us an explosive start at the top of the order."
The 14-player Australia women's squad is:
Age
Sarah Andrews 27
Alex Blackwell 25
Jessica Cameron 19
Lauren Ebsary 26
Rene Farrell 22
Jodie Fields (vc) 24
Shelley Nitschke 32
Erin Osborne 19
Ellyse Perry 18
Kirsten Pike 24
Leah Poulton 25
Karen Rolton (c) 34
Lisa Sthalekar 29
Elyse Villani 19
Karen Rolton has announced that she will step down as captain following the ICC World Twenty20 in England. The Women's National Selection Panel has named Jodie Fields as vice-captain for the ICC World Twenty20 prior to taking the captaincy for the series against England immediately after the ICC World Twenty20 tournament. Alex Blackwell will be vice captain for the series against England.
Rolton has captained the the team since February 2006, taking over from Belinda Clark.
Commenting on the Twenty20 squad, Women's NSP Chair Margaret Jennings said: "There are two inclusions to the squad with Elyse Villani coming in and Kirsten Pike returning from injury which will add both youth and experience to the team. We've lost Emma Sampson and Leonie Coleman to retirement and Delissa Kimmince is the unlucky player to miss out on selection for this squad.
"Kirsten's been out for 18 months and we're looking for her previous experience to help guide us through.
"We've brought Elyse Villani into the squad. She is a promising young batter who plays an extremely attacking style of game and she will get an opportunity to show what she is capable of in the short form of the game.
"Karen Rolton will captain the ICC World Twenty20 team in England but has decided that it's time to hand-over leadership to a new generation at the conclusion of the tournament.
"Jodie Fields will be vice captain for the ICC World Twenty20 and will then take over the captaincy from Karen for the series against England in July.
"It's a great credit to Karen and her leadership skills that she has decided to make this decision, which would not have been easy. She has provided a great opportunity for Jodie and Alex to continue building their leadership skills and she will also be there in England to support this hand-over," Jennings said.
Rolton, who was described by CA CEO James Sutherland as a legend of the game, noted that it was a transitional period for the team and that she was looking forward to the ICC World Twenty20 and working closely with Jodie.
"I think it's going to be good for the team. I obviously can't play forever, but I'll keep playing and try to help out Jodie and others in the team where ever I can," Rolton said.
The ICC World Twenty20 in England will be the first such event for women's cricket and Rolton said that all the players were looking forward to the experience.
"Everyone can't wait, all the players are particularly excited about playing in a joint competition with the men's team and hopefully having an opportunity for both teams to play in a final at Lords. This will be an outstanding achievement for Australian cricket."
To help with preparation for the ICC World Twenty20, the team will play a three-match Twenty20 Series against New Zealand in Brisbane from 1 -3 June.