Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Quick ready to intimidate in women's Ashes

Up to five Australians could make their Test debut after being picked in the squad for the multi-formatted women's Ashes.

Australia
A 14-woman squad has been named to tour England and defend Australia's Ashes win from 2017. (AAP)

One of Australia's five potential Test debutants in a star-studded Ashes squad, tearaway Tayla Vlaeminck is bowling faster than ever and ready to intimidate England.

Australia's coach Matthew Mott on Tuesday unveiled the 14-woman touring party set to defend the title, with Meg Lanning expected to captain the side in the three-format series that starts on July 2.

Vlaeminck was included after recovering from a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, having previously undergone two knee reconstructions to repair ruptured ACLs.

The 20-year-old, rated so highly that she made her international debut before playing a women's Big Bash League match, will be taking part in her first Ashes.

Lanning, among many good judges impressed with Vlaeminck's express pace during a recent training camp in Brisbane, suggested her teammate was capable of clocking similar speeds to the world's fastest bowlers like English spearhead Katherine Brunt.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Vlaeminck, who worked overtime during the off-season to prove her fitness, can't wait to test England's top order.

"I feel like if anything I'm probably bowling quicker than I was before I got injured," Vlaeminck told reporters in Melbourne.

"The extra work in the gym probably helped with that. Hopefully I can continue that and get a bit quicker.

"All fast bowlers are pretty competitive. So whenever I can intimidate and bowl a few bouncers, I love doing that."

Vlaeminck, Nicola Carey, Delissa Kimmince, Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner are all in the mix to receive baggy greens on July 18, when Taunton hosts the only Test of the tour.

Lanning suggested Vlaeminck's pace could be a point of difference in Australia's attack.

"Hopefully it can be a weapon for us," Lanning said.

"You need to take 20 wickets to win a Test ... you need to have variety in your attack."

There was no room in the squad for spinner Sophie Molineux, who is the only contracted player to miss out after battling to recover from shoulder surgery.

But Molineux could still feature in the series after being named in an Australia A squad that will tour at the same time, with selectors happy to swap players between the groups.

Ellyse Perry, who scored an unbeaten double-ton in the previous Ashes Test at North Sydney Oval in 2017, and Alyssa Healy, the best short-form player in the women's game after being player of the tournament at last year's T20 World Cup, shape as key players once again for Australia.

Nicole Bolton returns from time away from the game on personal leave.

"Ashes series are huge moments in our careers. We always look forward to these series," Lanning said.

"We expect a really tough battle."


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world