Agency :
Australia have named uncapped leg-spinner Alana King in a 15-player squad for the multi-format Women’s Ashes series against England.
King, who picked up 16 wickets for Perth Scorchers as they won the 2021-22 Women’s Big Bash League, has been given her chance following injuries to fellow spinners Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham.
The 26-year-old is preferred to Amanda-Jade Wellington, who bagged a tournament-leading 22 wickets in the Big Bash, for Adelaide Strikers.
Australia have held the Women’s Ashes since winning 10-6 on points in England in 2015, with the 2017 series Down Under ending in an 8-8 draw before Australia crushed Heather Knight’s side 12-4 in England in 2019.
This year’s series was moved forward a week from its initial start date in order to allow Australia and England to complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine in New Zealand ahead of the 50-over World Cup from March 4.
The Ashes begins with three T20 internationals (January 20, 22 and 23) followed by a four-day Test match January 27-30) and then three one-day internationals (February 3, 6 and 8).
Victories in the T20 internationals and ODIs are worth two points each, while a win in the Test match earns a side four points.
Australia’s Ashes squad also includes Rachael Haynes, Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen, who return after missing the series at home to India earlier this year.
Wellington, meanwhile, is part of a 15-player Australia A squad that will take on England A in six white-ball matches.
King has no experience in long-form cricket but says she will be “ready to go” if she is selected in the Test match at Canberra.
