Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign gets underway against South Africa in Manchester
Australia have named a spin-heavy attack for their opening T20 World Cup game against South Africa in Manchester, while there was no room in the XI for vice-captain Tahlia McGrath.
The Aussies are batting first at Old Trafford after captain Sophie Molineux won the toss.
Australia XI: Beth Mooney (wk), Georgia Voll, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Nicola Carey, Sophie Molineux (c), Kim Garth, Alana King
South Africa XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Suné Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka
Veteran pace bowler Megan Schutt was a surprise omission, left out of the XI alongside McGrath as Australia named all four spinners: Molineux, Alana King, Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner.
Nicola Carey was named for her first T20 World Cup appearance since the 2020 tournament on home soil, while Phoebe Litchfield has overcome a quad niggle to take her place at No.3.
Left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton and Grace Harris were Australia’s other two squad members left out of the XI.
South Africa meanwhile left both former captain Dane van Niekerk and Tazmin Brits out of their XI, instead opting for Annerie Dercksen at first drop.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
Australia squad: Sophie Molineux (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Tahlia McGrath (vc), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham. Travelling reserve: Tahlia Wilson
Australia’s Group 1 fixtures
June 13: v South Africa, Old Trafford, Manchester, 11:30pm AEST
June 17: v Bangladesh, Headingley, Leeds, 7:30pm AEST
June 20: v Netherlands, Rose Bowl, Hampshire, 7:30pm AEST
June 24: v Pakistan, Headingley, Leeds, 3:30am AEST
June 28: v India, Lord’s, London, 11:30pm AEST
Semi-final 1: The Oval, London, June 30, 11:30pm AEST
Semi-final 2: The Oval, London, July 2 (3:30am July 3 AEST)
Final: Lord’s, London, July 5, 11:30pm AEST
Click here for the full tournament schedule
All matches will be broadcast on Amazon’s Prime Video