Meg Lanning will not return for the T20I and ODI Series against the West Indies next month, with Alyssa Healy leading the side once more, supported by all-rounder Tahlia McGrath. Australia has unveiled a 13-player squad for the white-ball series against the West Indies.
Lanning was sidelined from the Ashes series in May and subsequently missed the ODI series in Ireland due to medical reasons. As determined by Cricket Australia’s medical team, she remains unavailable for selection.
Healy has reclaimed the captaincy after recovering from a finger injury that had kept her out of Australia’s last ODI against Ireland in August. Ellyse Perry, who also missed the last ODI against Ireland due to a knee injury, has been named in the squad for her return.
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Cricket Australia stated, “Both Healy (finger injury) and Ellyse Perry (knee injury) missed the third ODI against Ireland due to injury but are expected to be fully available for the West Indies series. Meg Lanning remains unavailable for selection as determined by Cricket Australia’s medical team.”
Dr. Pip Inge, the Australian Women’s Team Doctor, provided an update, saying, “Meg is progressing well but remains unavailable for competitive cricket. While no specific return date has been set, we anticipate a gradual comeback through domestic cricket. CA medical staff will continue to closely monitor Meg’s progress, and further updates on her availability will be provided in due course.”
The back-to-back series will take place across Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, commencing with the first T20I at North Sydney Oval on October 1. This marks the first time the reigning world champions will compete on home soil since their triumph in the 2023 T20 World Cup and retention of the Women’s Ashes.
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The sole alteration to the squad between formats is the inclusion of Alana King for the ODIs, taking the place of batter Grace Harris following the conclusion of the T20Is.
Australia Squad:
- Alyssa Healy (Captain)
- Tahlia McGrath (Vice-Captain)
- Darcie Brown
- Ashleigh Gardner
- Kim Garth
- Grace Harris (T20Is only)
- Jess Jonassen
- Alana King (ODIs only)
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Beth Mooney
- Ellyse Perry
- Megan Schutt
- Annabel Sutherland
- Georgia Wareham
T20I Series Schedule:
- First T20: October 1, Sydney
- Second T20: October 2, Sydney
- Third T20: October 5, Brisbane
ODI Series Schedule:
- First ODI: October 8, Brisbane
- Second ODI: October 12, Melbourne
- Third ODI: October 14, Melbourne
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