Lucy Hamilton is set to feature in her first T20 World Cup as Australia names their squad for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, set to commence in June in England.
Left-arm seamer Hamilton pips Darcie Brown to the squad after impressing in all formats recently. She made her ODI and Test debut against India in early March, and made her T20I debut against the West Indies. She is one of seven fast-bowling options in the squad, alongside Megan Schutt and Kim Garth, and all-rounders Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry and Nicola Carey.
Carey returns for her first T20 World Cup appearance since 2020, while Perry will make her tenth T20 World Cup appearance, having featured in every tournament since the inaugural edition in 2009.
“Darcie Brown was unlucky to miss out but the decision was based on the conditions we’re expecting and the make-up of the side,” national selector Shawn Flegler said in a statement.
“With at least six right-arm pace options in the mix and raw pace expected to be less effective, we opted to go with Lucy Hamilton who offers something different as a left-arm quick,” he added.
This is the first major assignment for skipper Sophie Molineux after taking over as Australia’s all-format captain after Alyssa Healy’s retirement in March. She is one of four spinners in the squad, alongside Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham and Alana King, who shone in the T20 series against the West Indies with five wickets in three games. Big-hitting batter Grace Harris makes her return to the squad after missing the series in the Caribbean.
“Sophie has already made her mark as captain and built a strong connection with the group over the last couple of tours, so we’re looking forward to seeing what this side can achieve under her leadership,” Flegler said.
The squad also includes wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson as the travelling reserve, with Beth Mooney being the sole designated wicketkeeper in the 15-member squad.
Australia have been drawn in Group A alongside Bangladesh, India, Netherlands, Pakistan and South Africa. They kick off their campaign on June 13 in a high-octane clash against South Africa.
Australia squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Ellyse Perry, Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Grace Harris, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.
Travelling reserve: Tahlia Wilson
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