Cricket Australia’s Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today named a 20-player Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad for 2011-12.

Departing the list are Kristen Beams (Victoria), Elyse Villani (Victoria) and Julie Woerner (South Australia), while newcomers for 2011-12 are Jessica Jonassen (Queensland) and Sharon Millanta (New South Wales).

Commenting on the squad, WNSP Chair Christina Matthews said;

“The WNSP has made a number of changes to the 2011-12 squad ahead of the Quad Series to be played in June.

“Coming into the squad for the first time following their recent selection in the Australian team are Sarah Coyte, Annie Maloney and Meg Lanning, while Clea Smith makes a return after making herself available for selection.

“With an eye on the ICC World Twenty20 in 2012 and ICC Women’s World Cup in 2013, the WNSP has also selected Jess Jonassen following a terrific season for the Queensland Fire. Jess has previously been a member of the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad and has shown great improvement over the last two years.

“Also new to the squad is NSW Breakers pace bowler Sharon Millanta. The WNSP has recognised the need for greater pace bowling depth and after many years as a stalwart in the NSW side Millanta gets her chance at the next level.

“Omitted from the squad this year are spin bowler Kristen Beams and top order bats Elyse Villani and Julie Woerner. All three can consider themselves unlucky as there was great depth to select from this year. However the WNSP determined there was significant need for greater depth in the pace bowling options which unfortunately meant these three players had to be left out.”

AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker said he was extremely proud of the AIS program’s role in the development of women’s cricket.

“Women’s cricket is going from strength to strength in Australia, and with new talent emerging with ever better skills and performance we at the AIS are immensely proud of our contribution to the development of the players,” Professor Fricker said.

The 2011-12 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad is:

Name   State Age
Alex Blackwell  NSW 27
Jessica Cameron  VIC 21
Sarah Coyte  NSW 19
Lauren Ebsary  WA 28
Sarah Elliott  VIC 28
Rene Farrell  WA 24
Jodie Fields  QLD 26
Rachael Haynes  VIC 24
Alyssa Healy  NSW 20
Julie Hunter  VIC 27
Jessica Jonassen QLD 18
Meg Lanning  VIC 19
Annie Maloney  VIC 22
Sharon Millanta  NSW 30
Erin Osborne  NSW 21
Shelley Nitschke SA 34
Ellyse Perry  NSW 20
Leah Poulton  NSW 27
Clea Smith  VIC 32
Lisa Sthalekar  NSW 31

2011-12 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad

Meanwhile, the 2011-12 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars (under-21) squad was also announced today by the WNSP.
Name   State Age
Nicola Carey  NSW 17
Tamara Clapton  SA 18
Sarah Coyte*  NSW 19
Katelyn Fryett  TAS 18
Lisa Griffith  NSW 18
Kathryn Jenkin  QLD 20
Jessica Jonassen* QLD 18
Claire Koski  NSW 20
Meg Lanning*  VIC 19
Beth Mooney  QLD 17
Hayley Pattison  QLD 17
Ellyse Perry*  NSW 20
Angela Reakes  NSW 20
Megan Schutt  SA 18
Kara Sutherland  NSW 19
Selena Tainton  QLD 20
Keeghan Tucker  NSW 18

*2011-12 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad members

2011-12 Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars Schedule:
•         Quad Series in England – June/July 2011
•         Home series v New Zealand – early 2012
•         Away series v India – early 2012