Australia star all-rounder Ellyse Perry has been included in the 18-player squad for the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand. She has recovered from surgery and is on track to take part in the trans-Tasman series which will mark Australia’s first hit-out since the T20 World Cup.
Due to hamstring injury, Perry missed the victory over India in the T20 World Cup final, which was played in front of 86,174 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 8.
Perry has been included in the squad, subject to fitness, but pace bowler Tayla Vlaeminck will continue to miss competitive cricket because of her foot injury.
“Ellyse is progressing well from a significant hamstring injury and we want to give her every chance to be available for selection,” national selector Shawn Flegler was quoted as saying in a press release.
“We’ll continue to monitor her progress over the coming weeks.
“Tayla has had a slight setback in her return… our initial plans were to get her back for the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand.
“Now that’s been postponed we’ll take a conservative approach with her and give her as much time as she needs to get her body right.”
Erin Burns, who was carrying an injury during the World Cup, and Molly Strano, who was roped in to replace Vlaeminck, retain their places.
Australia and New Zealand will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is), with the coveted Rose Bowl Trophy up for grabs during the ODI series.
Australia is the current holder of the Rose Bowl having defeated New Zealand 3-0 in their last encounter in 2019.
Australia squad:
Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Belinda Vakarewa.
