In a significant selection call, Australia have left out pace bowler Darcie Brown from their squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
Brown, with 34 wickets in 41 T20Is at an average of 25.20, had been part of the team for the last two editions of the tournament. However, selectors have instead opted for left-arm seamer Lucy Hamilton, who has played just one T20I and four international matches overall, according to ICC.
The only major surprise in the squad, Hamilton’s inclusion ahead of Brown stands out, with left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux set to captain the side despite recent injury concerns. Hamilton led Australia at last year’s ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and has since debuted across all formats from March 2026, during the tour of West Indies and the home series against 50-over champions India.
The six-time champions boast experienced stars such as Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ash Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, and Megan Schutt. Two exciting young talents, Phoebe Litchfield (who played in the previous edition two years ago) and Georgia Voll (making her tournament debut), are also part of the squad. Voll has scored 474 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of over 156, with a century and three fifties, playing a key role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s second Women’s Premier League title this year.
Ellyse Perry, who has featured in every edition since 2009, is on the verge of becoming the first player to appear in 50 Women’s T20 World Cup matches. Nicola Carey, who recently returned to Australia’s T20I side and was part of the 2020 winning squad, also secured her spot. The 32-year-old had a strong WPL with Mumbai Indians, scoring 149 runs in six innings at a strike rate of nearly 142 and taking seven wickets. All-rounder Tahlia Wilson is included as the travelling reserve.
Australia are placed in Group 1 alongside South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands. They open their campaign against South Africa on June 13 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Australia squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham. Travelling reserve: Tahlia Wilson.
Australia’s T20 World Cup fixtures (group stage):
v South Africa: June 13, Manchester, 2:30 PM
v Bangladesh: June 17, Headingley, 10:30 AM
v Netherlands: June 20, Hampshire Bowl, 10:30 AM
v Pakistan: June 23, Headingley, 6:30 PM
v India: June 28, Lord’s, 2:30 PM