Meg Lanning returns as Australia eyes third-straight T20 World Cup crown
Australia will welcome back skipper Meg Lanning for their T20 World Cup title defence, while spinner Georgia Wareham will wear the green and gold for the first time in more than a year.
The Victorian spinner tore her ACL in 2021 and was on the shelf for 15 months, and returns to the fold alongside Alyssa Healy and Jess Jonassen, who suffered calf and hamstring injuries respectively last month.
The squad will take on Pakistan in three warm-up matches at the end of January before travelling to South Africa for the World Cup, which begins on February 11 (AEDT).
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"It's always tough to narrow a squad down to just 15 players, but we're confident we've picked a well-balanced side that's well placed for the series against Pakistan and ready to challenge for a third consecutive T20 title," selector Shawn Flegler said.
"Seeing Meg and Georgia back in action for Victoria has been exciting. Both bring a wealth of experience to the group, which is always crucial during major tournaments.
"Georgia in particular, has had a tough run of injuries, but she's shown a great deal of resilience and her return is a real boost for the side."
Meg Lanning kissing her Commonwealth Games gold medal. Getty
Lanning took six months away from the sport after Australia's Commonwealth Games success, returning recently for Victoria.
Flegler said that both Healy and Jonassen were showing no lingering signs of problems and that both would be "expected to be fully fit and firing".
There were always going to be tough decisions to be made and Nicola Carey, Phoebe Litchfield, and Amanda-Jade Wellington have all been left out, but will remain on the standby list.
"Unfortunately, there was no room for Nicola, Phoebe or Amanda-Jade, but they're still well and truly in our plans and are on standby should they be required," Flegler said.
Full squad: Meg Lanning (c), Alyssa Healy (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham
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