MEDIA RELEASE

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars named for tour to India The Women’s National Selection Panel (WNSP) has today announced a 14-player squad for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars tour to India next month. The squad is unchanged from the 14 that played in the Women’s International Series that concluded last week against New Zealand, with Australia winning that T20 series 4-1 and retaining the Rose Bowl Trophy 1-0. The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars squad is: NAME STATE AGE Jodie Fields (c) QLD 27 Alex Blackwell (vc) NSW 28 Jess Cameron VIC 22 Sarah Coyte NSW 20 Rachael Haynes NSW 25 Alyssa Healy NSW 21 Julie Hunter VIC 27 Jessica Jonassen QLD 19 Meg Lanning VIC 19 Sharon Millanta NSW 31 Erin Osborne NSW 22 Ellyse Perry NSW 21 Leah Poulton NSW 27 Lisa Sthalekar NSW 32 Commenting on the squad, WNSP Chair Julie Savage said; “Following the recent success of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars against New Zealand, the WNSP has chosen the same squad to contest the series against India in March. “Winning the Rose Bowl 1-0 and the T20 series 4-1 was a good result with excellent performances from experienced all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar who was the T20 player of the series. Equally outstanding was the performance of swing bowler Julie Hunter, in both formats, which culminated in her being awarded player of the Rose Bowl Series. “The contributions from our players with significant experience and the confident performances from players who have played less international matches bode well for our squad ahead of the tour to India. “The performance of the entire squad during the series was generally pleasing although the WNSP would expect to see some improved consistency particularly amongst the batting group during the Indian series as we continue to prepare for the defense of the ICC World Twenty20 title in September. “India on their own turf should represent a significant challenge and we believe this squad displays the balance of skills and experience required to continue our recent series success,” Savage said. The tour to India will be from 6-26 March 2012, while exact match dates and venues are yet to be finalised.