2012-13 AIS-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars contract list announced
The Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today announced an 18-player AIS-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad for the 2012-13 contract period.
The AIS-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad is:
| Name | State | Age |
| Alex Blackwell | NSW | 28 |
| Melissa Bulow | QLD | 31 |
| Jess Cameron | VIC | 22 |
| Sarah Coyte | NSW | 21 |
| Lauren Ebsary | SA | 29 |
| Sarah Elliott | VIC | 30 |
| Jodie Fields | QLD | 27 |
| Rachael Haynes | NSW | 26 |
| Alyssa Healy | NSW | 22 |
| Julie Hunter | VIC | 28 |
| Jessica Jonassesn | QLD | 19 |
| Meg Lanning | VIC | 20 |
| Sharon Millanta | NSW | 31 |
| Erin Osborne | NSW | 22 |
| Ellyse Perry | NSW | 21 |
| Lea Poulton | NSW | 28 |
| Clea Smith | VIC | 33 |
| Lisa Stghalekar | NSW | 32 |
In: Melissa Bulow,
Out: Shelley Nitschke (retirement), Annie-Rose Maloney (omitted)
Commenting on the squad, WNSP Chair Julie Savage said:
'The WNSP has selected a strong AIS-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad for the forthcoming season that includes two ICC ranking events - the ICC World Twenty20 to be held in Sri Lanka in September 2012 and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup to be held in India in March 2013. It is pleasing to see minimal change in the squad, reflecting the good performances of the team over the past 12 months.'
'There are two omissions from the previous squad, Shelley Nitschke who has retired from international cricket and Annie-Rose Maloney who experienced a disappointing domestic season with the ball.
'Melissa Bulow has been added to the squad following an outstanding WT20 season for the Queensland Fire in which she was the leading run scorer, scoring 505 runs at an average of 50.5 and a strike rate of 119.39.
'It is important that we recognise consistent high-level performances at domestic level; the WNSP would like to see more players use this avenue to stake their claims for inclusion in the touring squad over the 2012-13 season.”
AIS Director Matt Favier 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 even better skills and performance we at the AIS are immensely proud of our contribution to the development of the players,' Favier said.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission Women in Sport Media Grant which aims to increase and enhance the exposure and reach of women’s sport in the Australian media.
Profiles can be found here: http://www.cricket.com.au/teams/australia-women
Follow the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars on Twitter: @_SouthernStars.
