Cricket Australia’s Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today named an 18-player Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad for 2009-10.

Departing the list are the retired Karen Rolton (South Australia) and Sarah Andrews (New South Wales), while Delissa Kimmince (Queensland) was not available for selection and Kate Blackwell (New South Wales) also missed out on selection.

Newcomers for 2010-11 are Julie Hunter (Victoria), Kristen Beams (Victoria) and Julie Woerner (South Australia).

Commenting on the squad, WNSP Chair Christina Matthews said;

“The WNSP is continuing the rebuilding process following the retirements of Karen Rolton and Sarah Andrews and believes the players selected will form the basis of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars for many years to come,” Matthews said.

“Victorians Julie Hunter and Kristen Beams and South Australian Julie Woerner have been rewarded for consistent strong performances over the last two Women’s National Cricket League and WNCL Twenty20 seasons.

“With the average age of the squad just 24, the more experienced players will play a significant role in the development of the team over the next 12 months in assisting with the continued development of our younger players.

“We believe we’ve selected a very talented squad and we look forward to seeing how they progress over the next 12 months, starting with the ICC World Twenty20 in May.”

Acting AIS Director Philip Borgeaud 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,” he said.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad will attend a camp at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence (COE) from April 8 – 12 ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

The 2009-10 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad is:
Name State Age
Kristen Beams VIC 25
Alex Blackwell  NSW 26
Jessica Cameron*VIC 20
Lauren Ebsary  WA 26
Sarah Elliott  VIC 28
Rene Farrell  WA 23
Jodie Fields  QLD 25
Rachael Haynes  VIC 23
Alyssa Healy*  NSW 19
Julie Hunter  VIC 26
Erin Osborne* NSW 20
Shelley NitschkeSA 33
Ellyse Perry*  NSW 19
Kirsten Pike QLD 25
Leah Poulton  NSW 26
Lisa Sthalekar  NSW 30
Elyse Villani* VIC 20
Julie Woerner  SA 25

* These players are eligible to play at under-21 level and will also be available for selection in the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad.

2009-10 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad
Meanwhile, the 2009-10 Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars (under-21) squad was also announced today by the WNSP.

The Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars squad is:
Name State Age
Cassie Brock VIC 19
Sarah Coyte NSW 18
Katelyn Fryett TAS 17
Alyssa Healy* NSW 19
Kathryn Jenkin QLD 19
Jessica JonassenQLD 17
Claire Koski NSW 18
Meg Lanning  VIC 17
Ellyse Perry*  NSW 19
Emilee Preston  ACT 19
Angela Reakes  NSW 19
Selena Tainton  QLD 19
Gemma Triscari  WA 20
Elyse Villani* VIC 20

*AIS-Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad member under 21 years of age