Defending champions Australia, on Monday, announced a 15-member squad that will take part in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to start in the United Arab Emirates on October 3.

The experienced Alyssa Healy will captain Australia for the first time in a World Cup. All-rounder Tahlia McGrath has been assigned as her deputy.

The Australian women’s cricket team will see the return of pacer Darcie Brown who had been sidelined since March with a foot injury. However, left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen, a veteran of more than 100 T20Is, could not find a place in Australia’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

The team is a mix of youth and experience with young sensation Phoebe Litchfield making the World Cup squad for the first time in her career. Apart from Healy and Litchfield, left-handed batter Beth Mooney is also in the team.

All-rounders Elysse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris provide much-needed balance and depth to the squad.

The bowling department will be led by pacers Meghan Schutt, Darcie Brown and Tayla Vlaeminck whereas Alana King, Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham will be the spinners in action.

Australia, six-time champions, are placed in Group A alongside India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The Aussies will start their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on October 4.

The top two teams from both groups will make it to the semi-finals to be played on October 17 and 18 with the final scheduled on October 20.

Australia squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Australia women’s cricket team: Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck